After recovering from the coronavirus, many are now gripped by the deadly black fungus. Also known as Mucormycosis, it can be fatal if left untreated. The rare deadly fungal infection is now recurring among the Covid-19 patients across the country.
Black Fungus or mucormycosis is an invasive infection caused by a group of molds known as mucormycetes. These fungi are ubiquitous, naturally occurring in our environment, mainly in soil. Humans get the infection by inhaling the fungal spores floating around in the air and in the dust. These spores get deposited in the nasal passages and sinuses and cause disease in that area. The black fungus becomes really worst when people are affected with other health problems or take medicines that can lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness.
Similarly, people with weak immune systems such as blood cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or bone-marrow transplant patients, who are unable to form neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that protects from the infections, in the initial weeks, are likely to fall prey to black fungus.
While undergoing the treatment of Covid-19, patients are generally advised by the doctors to take heavy and prolonged steroid doses that can compromise immune systems. These steroids are likely to shoot up blood sugar levels, especially with uncontrolled diabetic patients. Surged blood sugar levels and acidic blood create a breeding ground for the Mucorales fungi to thrive.
