fter black fungus infection being called an epidemic and a notifiable disease in some states, medical experts have cited alarms over the discovery of a white fungal infection. Considered to be more deadly and lethal than black fungus, reports suggest that at least 4 cases pertaining to the white fungus infection have been detected in Patna, Bihar and many more might be undiagnosed at this stage.

1. MUCORMYCOSIS
Black
Fungus
Partial
loss of vision
pain under the eyes
nasal or sinus congestion

2. Symptoms of Mucormycosis, also
known as black fungus, include
headache, fever, pain under the eyes,
nasal or sinus congestion and partial
loss of vision. It affects the sinuses,
the brain and the lungs and can be
life-threatening in people who are
diabetic or have suppressed
immunity
SYMPTOMS
Black Fungus
SYMPTOMS OF MUCORMYCOSIS

3. One-sided facial swelling
Headache
Nasal or sinus congestion
Black lesions on nasal bridge or upper inside of
mouth that quickly become more severe
Fever
Symptoms of rhinocerebral (sinus and brain)
mucormycosis include:
Symptoms of rhinocerebral (sinus and brain)
mucormycosis

4. Fever
Cough
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Symptoms of pulmonary (lung) mucormycosis
nclude:
Symptoms of pulmonary (lung) mucormycosis

5. Abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Symptoms of gastrointestinal mucormycosis
include:
Symptoms of gastrointestinal mucormycosis

6. Cutaneous (skin) mucormycosis can look like blisters or
ulcers, and the infected area may turn black. Other
symptoms include pain, warmth, excessive redness, or
swelling around a wound.
Disseminated mucormycosis typically occurs in people who
are already sick from other medical conditions, so it can be
difficult to know which symptoms are related to
mucormycosis. Patients with disseminated infection in the
brain can develop mental status changes or coma.

7. If not treated on time, the black fungus
infection can turn fatal.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus has given birth
to several other new diseases. One of the
rapidly spreading infection post-COVID
recoveries is black fungus. Also called
Mucormycosis, black fungus is, as the
name suggests is a fungal disease that is
commonly being observed in patients
who were given steroids for a long time,
who have been hospitalised for a long
time, were on oxygen support or
ventilator, poor hospital hygiene or who
have been taking medication for other
illness such as diabetes.

8. The Ministry of Health has
confirmed that the infection
is being detected among
people who are recovering or
have recovered from COVID-
19.People undergoing oxygen
therapy in ICU, where a
humidifier is used are more
at risk due to exposure to
moisture.Thus, it is
recommended to use sterile
water for oxygen therapy.
BLACK FUNGUS
A weak immunity system,
overuse of steroids,
voriconazole therapy and
uncontrolled diabetes also
put people at risk of black
fungus infection.
BLACK FUNGUS
The prime symptom of
the black fungus
includes discolouration
of the oral tissues,
tongue, gums, stuffy
nose, severe pain,
swelling of face,
heaviness below
the eyes, discomfort,
fever and headache.
BLACK FUNGUS
What causes black fungus?
SCIENCE CLASS | CYPRESS TEACHING ACADEMY

9. Dentist shares
simple oral
tips to
prevent the
fungal
infection
fungus in the mouth to grow and cause a
problem in the sinus, lungs and even brain.
Taking care of your mouth by brushing
twice/thrice a day and taking oral cleanups can
help exceedingly.
Maintain oral hygiene
Maintaining good oral hygiene post-COVID-19 recovery
is a must for patients to protect themselves from the
effect of the disease.
Patients are advised to change their toothbrush once the
test negative and keep rinsing their mouth regularly.
A COVID recovered patient should not keep their brush in
the same holder where others do. It's advised to clean the
brush and tongue cleaner regularly using an antiseptic
mouthwash

10. As with many infections, a white fungus infection causes most damage to a person who has a low
immune threshold. Thus, a person with low-immunity, or already at risk of other comorbidities,
or using immuno-suppressant medications has a high risk of catching the white fungal infection.
People suffering from conditions like diabetes, cancer and other comorbidities, which require
continuous steroid usage could also face the risk of catching the infection.
Some reports also cite that women and children face additional risks of infection, which were
previously unseen with black fungus infection.
Doctors also warn that much like black fungus, the white fungus could also be spread when a
person comes in contact with unsanitary surfaces. Particularly, for patients on prolonged oxygen
support, wherein water sources could be contaminated may also be a source of transmission,
which is also the reason why doctors are seeing a rise in white fungus cases reported amongst
hospitalized COVID patients. For example, the use of unfiltered/ tap water in humidifiers/ oxygen
cylinders can make patients susceptible to getting white fungus symptoms. This is also one of the
reasons why special concern should be focussed on sanitation and hygiene at a time like right
now.