Q Why is it in News ?
A number of Covid-19 patients are developing a serious fungal infection known as Mucormycosis also called black fungus.
Q What is Mucormycosis ?
- It is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes, which is abundant in the environment.
- It mainly affects people who have health problems or take medicines that lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness.
- The types of Mucormycosis are: Rhinocerebral (Sinus and Brain), Pulmonary (Lung), Gastrointestinal, Cutaneous (Skin), and disseminated Mucormycosis.
Q How is it transmitted ?
- It occurs through inhalation, inoculation, or ingestion of spores from the environment.
- Mucormycosis does not spread between people or between people and animals.
Q What are its Symptoms ?
- These include pain and redness around eyes and/or nose, fever, headache, coughing, shortness of breath, bloody vomits, and altered mental status.
- Warning signs can include toothache, loosening of teeth, blurred or double vision with pain.
Q How can it be prevented ?
- Avoiding areas with a lot of dust like construction or excavation sites, avoiding direct contact with water-damaged buildings and flood water after hurricanes and natural disasters and avoiding activities that involve close contact to soil.
Q What is its treatment ?
- Mucormycosis needs to be treated with prescription antifungal medicine.
- In some cases, it can require surgery.