Fungi are the single cellular organisms which breed on rotten ,decomposed organic matter they have the ability to multiply at faster rate by various method like budding ,fragmentation ,fission but a majority of fungi reproduce by spore formation. It is a means of asexual reproduction.

Now a days we are hearing about a type of fungus called black fungus which is a highly infectious and rare type of fungus .It is found that the person who are recovered from COVID -19 are getting infected by this deadly or rare type of fungus. Black fungus is known as mucormycosis.

 

What is Mucormycosis?

Mucormycosis is a rare type of fungal infection. It is caused due to the exposure of mucor mould which is present in our environment in soil, air, plants, decaying fruits and vegetables.

How does Mucormycosis work?

Mucormycosis enter into the human body through skin or nose and attack on the mucal cavity as it got the suitable environment to breed in the mucus present in nose .It reproduce through spore formation that’s why it is highly infectious. It affects the sinus, lungs and after that brain and even can cause death in person who are diabetic, immunodeficient, HIV positive or cancer patient. Many cases are reported in people who are recovered COVID -19.

Causes of infections

According to the latest study following are the causes of black fungus infection.

  • According to doc in patients who are suffering from Covid-19 The steroid used to save the life of a severely ill patient triggers the infection. The steroids used in treatment reduce the immunity and push up the blood sugar level in diabetic as well as non diabetic  COVID persons.
  • According to reports the oxygen pipe and the humidifier used in hospital also lead to the black fungal infection.

 

Symptoms of mucormycosis infection:

  • Nasal congestion,blockage of sinus
  • Loosening of teeth ,pain in teeth or sometime teeth may fall also
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea 
  • Facial pain or numbness or swelling
  • Fever
  • Chest pain
  • Discolouration of nasl area or sinus region

Altogether we can say that people who are in more risk from mucormycosis infection are:

  • infants and children
  • Aged people
  • people with allergies or asthma
  • people with weakened immune systems

Prevention from  mucormycosis infection:

  • A person needs to control hyperglycemia to avoid the infection.
  • It needs to keep a check on his blood glucose levels after getting discharged from COVID-19 hospital. 
  • Needs to keep a check on the timing and dosage of taking steroids as excess of steroids leads to creating problems.
  • We need to keep water clean for humidifiers while undergoing oxygen therapy.
  • Needs to use antibiotics or antifungals properly.

We can’t avoid diseases or mishap but what we can do is to take precautions because prevention is better than cure.