If not treated right away, it can lead to vision loss and ultimately death, doctors say
The mention of “Mucormycosis”, or “black fungus” as it is commonly known, scares people, especially those who have long fought COVID-19 with oxygen.
It is similar to the fungus that develops on bread due to moisture from prolonged storage.
The discovery of some cases of black fungus in some northern states, and now in Hyderabad, scares people.
If the disease is not treated right away, it can lead to loss of vision in both eyes and ultimately death, doctors say.
“The indiscriminate use of steroids to treat COVID-19 patients resulting in decreased immunity has led to an increase in black fungus cases. It needs to be surgically removed or medicated. Otherwise, if it reaches the lungs or brain, it can cause vision loss or be life-threatening, “said PV Sudhakar, Director of Andhra Medical College (AMC) The Hindu On Wednesday.
“The fungus develops in people who indiscriminately use steroids or who take immunosuppressants. The spores open and develop into mushrooms. When the fungus gets into the nostrils, balls form and reach the sinus, where they multiply. They reach the eye and from there the lungs and brain. They are rarely seen as black spots on the skin, ”says Dr. Sudhakar.
“While only distilled water should be used to hydrate oxygen, sometimes tap water or other available water is used either because of ignorance or negligence. The tanks are rarely cleaned, which leads to a concentration of viruses and bacteria in the pipe supply system, ”according to a reliable source.
“In the past, only one or two cases were discovered in a year. The overuse of steroids and oxygen support due to the surge in COVID-19 cases has led to an increase in black fungus cases, ”said MVRJ Somayajulu, general practitioner and former superintendent of King George Hospital (KGH).
“In the past, when there were very few cases, doctors and nurses would monitor the nostril area for possible black spots, and paramedics would make sure the flow meters and nasal prongs were clean,” he says.
“Health workers should examine the nostril area for black spots. A simple bedside test such as scraping your nostrils and dipping in potassium permanganate solution can reveal the fungus. At this stage, the person’s sight and life can be saved. The disease doesn’t spread from person to person, ”says Dr. Somayajulu.
“The water used to make oxygen and the oxygen supply equipment should be clean. The oxygen prongs should be monitored frequently and cleaned with a soapy antiseptic solution, ”he adds.