Mucormycosis: The Black Fungus hitting Covid-19 patients in India

India is struggling with the Covid-19 pandemic now a day. The cases of Covid-19 are increasing rapidly and in addition to that, the rare fungal infection is affecting some of the coronavirus patients is dealing the country a double strike. Nowadays in India fighting with Covid-19 and a rare new fungal infection, popularly known as the Black Fungus. Mucormycosis is adding an extra burden to suffering in the country with the deep Covid-19 crisis. The black fungus (mucormycosis) had been reported in March of this year around the world. From which almost 70% of the cases are only from India. As per the reports, the cases are now much higher in India, which is unsurprisingly adding the burden to the current wave of Covid-19 infection in India. There are many rumors about mucormycosis (the black fungus) in India. This article gives you a clear idea about mucormycosis and how it is linked with the Covid-19.

Mucormycosis is also known as “zygomycosis”, it is the disease caused by the many fungi that belong to the fungal family called “Mucorales”. The fungi from this family are generally found in the soil and are often correlated with decomposed organic material such as fruit and vegetables.

Mucormycosis symptoms totally depend on which part of body fungus is growing, reach out to your doctor if you have symptoms related to the mucormycosis or Covid-19. Below are the symptoms depends on your 3 body parts namely sinus and brain, lung, skin. each part has its individual/different symptoms.

• Swelling on one of the sides of the face
• Severe Headache
• Blockage on the nasal or sinus
• Black wounds on the nasal bridge or upper inside of the mouth that get quickly become more severe
• High Fever or Continuous fever even after taking medicines.

• High Fever or Continuous fever even after taking medicines.
• Coughs
• Chest Pain
• Breathe shortness

If the mucormycosis fungus growing or causing skin then the infected area can turn black and look like blisters/injuries, ulcers.

Below are the common symptoms of the mucormycosis

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Gastrointestinal bleeding

Most usually mucormycosis attacks the sinuses or the lungs after inhaling fungal spores from the air. It can also occur on the skin after a cut, burn, or another type of skin damage. Mucormycosis can show in the lungs but the most common site of mucormycosis infection is the nose and sinuses. From the nose or sinuses, it grows/spread towards the eyes, potentially causing blindness or the brain causing a headache.

Mucormycosis affected people having health issues or those who are taking medicines that lower the body’s ability to combat germs and sickness. There are three ways by which the mucormycosis attract the human-like by inhaling spores, by taking spores in food or in medicine, or when spores infect injuries. Inhalation is the most common. In fact, we breathe in the spores of many fungi everyday but because of our strong and healthy immune system and lungs we don’t get affected, Healthy lungs and a strong immune system prevent them from causing us. The patient gets treated to the server Covid-19 when our lungs are damaged and our immune system is suppressed. The spores can grow into our airways or sinuses and attack our body’s tissues.

why the situation in India as compared to the other countries? as there have been few cases of mucormycosis associated with Covid-19 patients in other countries also. Before Covid-19 mucormycosis is not so much known or familiar to anyone around the world. But if we go as a number wise then from over the 1 lakh people almost 14 people affected with the mucormycosis in India approximately. The number of affected people in India looks smaller but if we compare it with the other countries then most people are affected with mucormycosis in India. Like if we take an example then out of 1Lakh people only 1 people get affected with mucormycosis in other countries approximately. The outbreaks of mucormycosis globally have occurred due to infected products such as hospital illness, medications, and package food. But in India, the widespread nature reports of mucormycosis not only coming from one infected source.

The Mucorales can be found in the environment like in the soil, water, in the under constructed area, and moist environment. But in India, there is one more factor that is diabetes The Mucorales fungi grow in a good environment like when diabetes is poorly controlled, high blood sugar, and the tissues grow relatively acidic. In India, with high blood sugar, diabetes was recognized as the risk for mucormycosis where diabetes is increasingly common and often uncontrolled.

There is no vaccine developed yet to prevent mucormycosis, so it is risky for people to have a lower immune system as it is coming into the environment. But there are some ways by which you can minimize the risk of developing mucormycosis.

• Avoid areas having lots of dust like the under-construction site. If not possible avoid use Masks especially the N95 mask
• Avoid direct contact with the floodwater and water of damaged buildings.
• Try to wear hand gloves while working with soil, moss, or nature.
• use a mask and try to boost your immune system.

The Germinate strongly suggest to follow the guidelines shared by the government, wash your hand regularly, wear masks, and maintain physical distance.