No Result
View All Result
  • Login
Friday, July 1, 2022
Afternoon Voice
SUBSCRIBE
  • Home
  • Top News
  • City News
  • Nation
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    • Bollywood
    • Hollywood
  • Sports
    • Cricket
    • Hockey
    • Tennis
    • Football
    • Badminton
  • Editorial
  • Opinion
    • Column
    • Diary
    • Letters
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Editor’s Pick
    • Featured
    • Lifestyle
    • Different Strokes
    • Multimedia
    • Sci-Tech
    • Politics
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Top News
  • City News
  • Nation
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    • Bollywood
    • Hollywood
  • Sports
    • Cricket
    • Hockey
    • Tennis
    • Football
    • Badminton
  • Editorial
  • Opinion
    • Column
    • Diary
    • Letters
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Editor’s Pick
    • Featured
    • Lifestyle
    • Different Strokes
    • Multimedia
    • Sci-Tech
    • Politics
No Result
View All Result
Afternoon Voice
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Top News
  • City News
  • Nation
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • Epaper
  • More

Home > Editorial > COVID-19: Mucormycosis, black Fungus a new health hazard

COVID-19: Mucormycosis, black Fungus a new health hazard

by Vaidehi Taman
May 9, 2021
in Editorial
A A
1
Black fungal, black fungus, mucormycosis, post-covid, covid-19, coronavirus, covid in mumbai, fungal infection

In Mumbai many COVID-19 survivors have died due to mucormycosis, a fungal infection, during treatment in the state, so far 200 such patients are being treated out of which eight patients lost their lives. India has been reporting over 4 lakh COVID-19 infections daily for the past three days and the death toll has remained over 3000 for the past ten days.


Even as medical authorities wrestling with new emergent variants showing different symptoms in India, hospitals are perceiving a rise in deadly fungal infection in patients recovering from COVID. Hospitals in cities like Delhi, Pune and Ahmedabad have reported multiple cases of Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus which is visible in patients post COVID-19 recovery.


It is a rare problem developing in COVID patients, sometimes, during active COVID infection, but more commonly – weeks to months after recovery from COVID. It is a rare but hazardous fungal infection caused by a group of moulds known as mucormycetes, which are present naturally in the atmosphere.


It instigates in the sinuses/nose/teeth and has the potential to spread into the eye and even the brain. If not detected in time, this infection can be dangerous and life-threatening. Currently, there are no proven feasible measures for prevention and early detection is the best bet for now. Some of the things supported for preclusion are gargles and nasal douching with Betadine solution, strict control of diabetes, using steroids only on prescription by a physician.
Mucormycosis only causes serious complications when a patient has pre-existing health problems or has taken medication that conciliates the immunity system. People who have received steroids as a part of their Covid-19 treatment are at risk. Persons who have received immunomodulatory drugs e.g. Tocilizumab also faces risk.


Doctors say nothing is as risky as high and uncontrolled diabetes. Previously immunocompromised patients on cancer treatment or with autoimmune conditions are also vulnerable. Patients on steroids for other medical conditions can also be vulnerable. When the same COVID-19 patient is put on oxygen support, which has a humidifier containing water, the chances of him or her getting the fungal infection increase.


Fungal disease is already acknowledged but the cases are increasing because of COVID-19 related problems, wherein the use of steroids raises the sugar level in blood while some medicines result in suppression of immunity of patients. In such a scenario, the black fungus infects the patient easily and spreads.


If the fungus reaches the brain of the infected person, it can prove fatal. In one such case, one of the eyes of a patient had to be removed permanently to save his life. The hospital, which is managed by a trust, has been receiving several patients diagnosed with Mucormycosis who are being referred from various areas in Surat and other parts of Gujarat.


In Ahmedabad, at least five patients with mucormycosis are being operated upon every day at the civil hospital at Asarva. In Ahmedabad, doctors are receiving 5 to 10 such cases at the civil hospital, especially since the second wave of COVID-19 started. These patients are being examined on priority and operated on as early as possible.


Black Fungus generally affects COVID-19 recovered patients who have other comorbidities like diabetes, kidney or heart failure, cancer as well as patients who are on steroids or have had a transplant. However, it is most common in diabetic patients, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States.


Prior to the COVID era, Black Fungus was extremely rare and found only in immunocompromised people. However, coronavirus itself reduces immunity levels, largely affects diabetic people and is treated with steroids if serious. As a result, COVID survivors are vulnerable to the infection, especially in the severe second wave.


Early detection will aid the patient’s medication for the fungal infection and clinical intervention to the affected area. Usually, MRI scans determine the extent of damage the fungus may have caused. Mucormycosis, if left undiagnosed or untreated, may result in blindness, removal of the nose, jaw-bone or even death. So, all those COVID 19 patients having symptoms like one-sided facial swelling, headache, nasal or sinus congestion, black lesions on nasal bridge or upper inside of the mouth, fever, partial loss of eyesight, Pain under the eyes should get diagnosed without any delay and secure their lives.

Tags: Black FungalCOVID-19Mucormycosis

Vaidehi Taman

Vaidehi an Accredited Journalist from Maharashtra is bestowed with three Honourary Doctorate in Journalism. Vaidehi has been an active journalist for past 16 years, and is also the founding editor of an English daily tabloid – Afternoon Voice, a Marathi web portal – Mumbai Manoos, monthly magazine Beyond The News, and The Democracy digital video news portal is her brain child. She is an EC Council Certified Ethical Hacker, OSCP offensive securities, Certified Security Analyst and Licensed Penetration Tester that caters to her freelance jobs. Besides journalism, she is also an Ethical Hacker, Philanthropist, and Author.

Recommended For You

Editorial

Eknath Shinde’s revolt has sparked a debate across India

June 24, 2022
uddhav, thackeray, uddhav thackeray, shiv sena, sena, varsha, eknath shinde, balasaheb, bal thackeray, balasaheb thackeray, aaditya, thackeray, maharashtra politics
Editorial

The 56th anniversary of Shiv Sena became a disastrous year for the party

June 23, 2022
nitin deshmukh, shiv sena, sena, uddhav, eknath shinde, shinde, mla, mlas, shiv sena mla, deshmukh, sena, maharashtra politics, maha, politics
Editorial

Shiv Sena MLA escapes from rebel camp with the horror of life

June 22, 2022
assam, flood, rain, assam floods, maharashtra, mumbai, rains
Editorial

India suffers floods and draughts every year

June 20, 2022
sri lanka, emergency, sri lankan government, sri lankan, facebook, twitter, whatsapp, emergency in sri lanka
Editorial

Technology can be sometimes in public jeopardy?

June 19, 2022
agnipath, agneepath, agnipath scheme, army scheme, army recruitment, army services, protest in india, protest over agnipath, agneepath scheme, indian army
Editorial

Army aspirants agitate over the Centre’s ‘Agnipath’ scheme

June 16, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT

LATEST

‘Maha’ twist: Eknath Shinde takes oath as CM, Devendra Fadnavis his deputy

‘Maha’ twist: Eknath Shinde takes oath as CM, Devendra Fadnavis his deputy

June 30, 2022
Israel’s parliament, Elections, Benjamin Netanyahu,

5th election in 4 years Israel’s parliament dissolves

June 30, 2022

Devendra Fadnavis Punha Yenar

June 30, 2022
Z level Security, Eknath Shinde, Goa, Mumbai, Governor of Maharashtra.

Eknath Shinde gets Z level security

June 30, 2022
Udaipur Murder Case, Crime Scene do not cross, Police line,

MHA orders the NIA to investigate the “brutal” murder of a tailor in Udaipur and any international connections

June 30, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT
Afternoon Voice

© 2022 Newsmakers Publications Pvt. Ltd. | All rights reserved.

Important Links

  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Support Parallel Media

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Top News
  • City News
  • Nation
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    • Bollywood
    • Hollywood
  • Sports
    • Cricket
    • Hockey
    • Tennis
    • Football
    • Badminton
  • Editorial
  • Opinion
    • Column
    • Diary
    • Letters
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Editor’s Pick
    • Featured
    • Lifestyle
    • Different Strokes
    • Multimedia
    • Sci-Tech
    • Politics

© 2022 Newsmakers Publications Pvt. Ltd. | All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?