# What is black fungus/Mucormycosis?
:- Mucormycosis or black fungus is an aggressive and invasive fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes.
It can affect various organs but is currently manifesting as invasive rhino-orbito-cerebral disease, affecting the ear, nose, throat, and mouth. It is not contagious but can cause a lot of damage internally and can be fatal if not detected early.
# Why it is referred to as black fungus?
:- It is referred to as "black fungus" due to the blackening that is the of this disease.
# how it is caused and Where it is found?
:- Mucormycosis is a very rare infection, which is caused by exposure to the mucor mold which is commonly found in soil, plants, manure, and decaying of fruits and vegetables.
"It is ubiquitous and found in soil and air and even in the nose and mucus of healthy people," says Dr. Akshay Nair":- a Mumbai-based eye surgeon.
# What are its Symptoms?
:- According to Dr. Sweta Budyal, senior consultant endocrinologist, Fortis Hospital, infection with mucormycosis should be suspected when there is:-
* Sinusitis — nasal blockage or congestion, nasal discharge (blackish/bloody)
* Local pain on the cheekbone, one-sided facial pain, numbness or swelling
* Blackish discolouration over the bridge of nose/palate
* Loosening of teeth, jaw involvement
* Blurred or double vision with pain
* Thrombosis, necrotic skin lesion
* Chest pain, pleural effusion, worsening of respiratory symptoms.
# Who is more prone to this disease?
:- “People in an extreme immune-compromised state are likely to contract this infection. Diabetologists across the country raise caution against the increased prevalence of mucormycosis during COVID-19, urging people to keep their sugar levels under check to reduce the risk.
#What is more worrying?
:- The more Worrying is that the use of steroids for treating certain cases of COVID-19 would shoot up sugar levels; this coupled with lack of physical activity puts diabetic people at a higher risk of catching the black fungal infection,” the doctor warns.
According to her, steroids reduce inflammation in the lungs due to COVID-19 and appear to help curb some of the damage that can happen when the body’s immune system fights against the virus. But, they also reduce immunity and push up blood sugar levels in both diabetics and non-diabetic COVID-19 patients.
"Prevention is extremely crucial,” Dr. Budyal says.
“For diabetes patients, this is life-threatening. A person affected with mucormycosis may need early detection and powerful diagnosis for treatment, which may, in turn, affect other organs such as the kidneys.
She adds that there is one way to stem the surge of the fungal infection is to make sure COVID-19 patients — both in treatment and after recovery — are administered the right dose and duration of steroids. It is also important for people with diabetes, cancer, kidney and liver diseases, and organ transplant patients, to keep a check on their glucose levels from time to time.
Reference:-
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#The Hindu
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