Mucormycosis or Black fungus is caused by a fungus named Mucormycetes which is present in environment specially found in soil, humid rooms , wet surfaces, decaying organic matter like manure and wet wood.
This fungi does not affect normal person who have good immunity and normal Blood sugar levels .
Who are at risk of Mucormycosis :
Those person who have low immunity like old age person, diabetic patients or in cancer patient or patient on immunosuppressant drugs like steroids or immunomodulators like tocilizumab. Also humidified oxygen increases the risk of Mucormycosis or black fungus .
Why Mucormycosis is found in covid-19 patient :
At present Mucormycosis or black fungus is common in post covid patients because in Covid treatment steroids , immunomodulator drugs like tocilizumab and humidified oxygen is being used .
Mucormycosis or black fungus Symptoms :
If the mucormycosis has affected the Eye, Brain or sinuses of the patient then patient may develop following symptoms :
- Numbness on one side of face
- Pain or swelling on face
- Swelling and pain around the eyes
- Patient may develop drooping of eyelids
- Decrease in vision or in some cases may develop total blindness .
- Headache or nose may blocked
- There may be brown or black dischage from nose of patient
- fever
- patient may also develop black eschar near nose
If the mucormycosis affects lungs of post covid patient :
- Cough , fever
- Chest pain ‘
- Difficulty in breathing
If the mucormycosis affects G. I . system of post covid patient :
- Nausea and vomiting
- pain abdomen
- blood in stool may occur
Preventive tips :
- Never use steroids without prescription of doctors
- Blood sugar level should be controlled in diabetic patients specially when patient is taking steroids
- If the patient is on oxygen support then there should be clean water in the humidifier
- Patient should be protected from soil, dust , wet surfaces and humid rooms.