Dr. Guleria and Dr. Trehan list out key factors responsible for spread of Mycormycosis or Black Fungus
Black fungus has been declared an epidemic by five states across India. Many people who have recovered from the Covid-19 infection are now suffering from Mucormycosis. Some have lost their eyes. In some cases, the entire jaw had to be removed. This fungal infection has been seen as the most troubling trend of the second wave of the novel coronavirus in India. As of today, around 10,000 cases of fungal infection have been reported officially. Maharashtra is the worst-hit state in the black fungus tally with nearly 100 people losing their lives due to black fungus.
AIIMS, Director Randeep Guleria on Friday listed three factors important in the prevention of ‘black fungus’ or mucormycosis outbreak. “Earlier, mucormycosis was commonly spotted in people suffering from diabetes mellitus, a condition where one’s blood sugar (glucose) levels are abnormally high. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, those who have had a transplant, and people taking immunosuppressants (medications that weaken the immune system) also used to get it. But now due to Covid-19 and its treatment, an increase in the number of cases is being witnessed.”
. Randeep Guleria Lists These Three Key Factors To Prevent ‘Black Fungus’
1.Good control of blood sugar levels,
2.Those on steroids must monitor blood sugar levels regularly
3.Those on steroids must be careful about when to give them and their dosage
“Uncontrolled diabetes with Covid can also predispose to the development of mucormycosis,” ANI further reported him as saying.
Dr. Randeep Guleria also said that the mucormycosis was also seen to some extent during the Sars outbreak in 2002.
Guleria also acknowledged that steroid use has become much more prevalent during the ongoing second wave of Covid-19. “Those given high doses of steroids when not indicated can lead to high blood sugar levels and a high chance of mucormycosis,” he said. Guleria called for judicious use of steroids.
Judicious Steroid Use, Good Control Over Diabetes Key To Prevent Black Fungus: said Dr Naresh Trehan
With the rising number of mucormycosis or “black fungus” cases seen among Covid-19 patients, Chairperson, Medanta Hopsital, Dr Naresh Trehan on Friday emphasised that the key to control the “opportunistic fungus” is judicious use of steroids and good control of diabetes.
“The first symptoms of Covid-19-associated Mucormycosis are pain/stuffiness in the nose, inflammation on cheek, fungus patch inside the mouth, swelling in the eyelid etc. It requires aggressive medical treatment,” Dr Trehan told ANI.
The Modi government on Thursday requested all the states and Union territories to declare Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, as an epidemic. In its letter to all states and Union Territories, the Union Health Ministry has asked them to make it mandatory for all government and private health facilities to report all suspected and confirmed cases to the health department and subsequently to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) surveillance system.
“The treatment of this fungal infection requires multidisciplinary approach consisting of Eye Surgeons, ENT specialists, General Surgeon, Neurosurgeon, Dental Maxillofacial surgeon etc. and institution of Amphotericin B as an antifungal medicine. You are requested to make mucormycosis a notifiable disease under Epidemic Diseases Act 1897,” the letter read.
What is Mucormycosis?
Mucormycosis or black fungus is caused by a group of moulds known as mucormycetes, which is present in the environment. It spreads through the nose and affects other parts of the body such as the eyes. Diabetics are said to be more vulnerable to infection.
This is very dangerous. A patient’s immunity becomes zero when he/she takes steroids. Black fungus, which is found in soil or decaying matter inside homes, doesn’t affect healthy people. Chances of infection are more in those with low immunity.
Report – Vikas Chandra Agrawal