Mucor mycosis the so-called black fungus infection. Which were found even before the Covid pandemic but the incidence was very low and infections seemed to be very low with patients with diabetes, transplant patients who were injected with immunosuppressant or cancer patients, or can be said that the patients who are on medication for other health problems which makes it difficult for the body to fight the environmental pathogens. But due to Covid and the treatment for Covid infection has led to a rise in the number of people infected with this fungus.
This fungus usually affects the face which is why it is also called Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis which means that the infection can spread in the inner part of the mouth, nose, the inner orbit of the eye, or also the brain which may cause visual impairment or loss of eyesight.
After knowing what the disease is and how it can affect, let’s come to the symptoms:
- Abnormal Black discharge, bleeding from the nose
- Nasal blockage
- Headache or eye pain
- Swelling around the eyes, double vision, redness of the eye, loss of vision
- Facial numbness
- Difficulty in opening mouth/chewing.
- Thrombosis (formation of blood clots from the coagulated blood)
- Chest pain
Ways to prevent the black fungus infection:
- Monitor Sugar for those who had/have diabetes
- Follow Covid guidelines for precaution
NOTE: Medical professionals should avoid using any kind of steroid on patients with other health problems.
This infection is more often to happen if you are infected with Covid, though serious damage can be prevented by early detection of such infection so if a patient finds any of these symptoms they must immediately consult an ENT doctor or ophthalmologist.
“Composed by: Rohan Tandel”
