Green Fungus Explained: What Causes Infection, Early Symptoms & Precautions To Take

Such fungal diseases are not communicable and it doesn’t spread from one human to another or between people and animals.

Representative Photo

New Delhi: Covid-19 has not only kept humans at the edge, but it gave way to new diseases in form of black, yellow and white fungus infections. In Madhya Pradesh's Indore a new type of fungus has been detected which is now referred to as the Green fungus.

A 34-year-old who had recently recovered for Covid-19 was diagnosed with green fungus infection in Indore and shifted to Mumbai by air ambulance for treatment. The emergence of the green fungus infection in a Covid survivor who went through 90 days of treatment has raised concerns among scientific community.

Suspecting he had contracted the dreaded black fungus infection (mucormycosis) his lungs were examined in Aurobindo Hospital and was found that a fungus of green color has been found in the patient's lungs, which cannot be called Mucor, so it cannot be called Mucormycosis, but due to its green color, it is called Green Fungus.

What is green fungus?

The new infection detected as the Green fungus is also known as Aspergillosis. It is an infection caused by a common mold (a type of fungus) that lives indoors and outdoors. Even though people breathe in Aspergillus spores every day without getting sick, it may also cause nose bleeding and high fever.

According to Dr. Ravis Dosi, Head of the Department of Chest Diseases at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences (SAIMS) in Indore, the infection many cause severe weight loss and weakness. The infection required more research to deal with the emergence of this fungus.

Aspergillosis gets added to the list of new colour-coded fungal diseases that have been emerged in Covid-19 patients and survivors. While there are several variety of the fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common cause of human Aspergillus infections. Cases of black fungus (mucormycosis), white fungus (candida) and yellow fungus (aspergillosis) have been seen a spike across the country during the second wave of infection. While the fungal infections have been named for different colours, they are often being caused by the same species of fungi.

What are various types of fungal infections?

AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria has recently said, "There are various types of fungal infections such as candida, aspergillosis, cryptococcus, histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis. Mucormycosis, candida and aspergillosis are the ones observed more in those with low immunity.

What can cause green fungal infection?

Infection from aspergillosis can take place through simply breathing of microscopic spores of the aspergillus fungus. In normal conditions, the body's immune system suppresses the growth of any spores within the body, but in certain cases, the body fails to suppress the growth of the spores especially those with weaker immune systems. Those who have recovered or suffering from lung diseases are at a higher risk of developing aspergillosis.

The fungal infections in Covid-19 patients are caused due to several reasons including lung damage, overuse of steroids, weakened immune system, and lack of infection control in overworked hospitals.

It is to be noted that fungal diseases are not communicable and it doesn’t spread from one human to another or between people and animals.

What are the common symptoms?

As per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, invasive aspergillosis infections can show the following symptoms in patients:

• Fever
• Chest pain
• Cough
• Coughing up blood
• Shortness of breath

It is advised that patients who have suffered from a lung disease, like Covid-19, or have currently weakened immune systems should try to shield themselves aganst dust, soil and other small particulate matter from entering their lungs and using N95 respirator masks.

How to prevent fungal infections

• One can prevent such fungal infections by maintaining good hygiene, oral and physical cleanliness.
• Don’t venture into areas with a lot of dust and stored contaminated water and always wear an N95 respirator for prevention in case you are unable to avoid such areas.
• Keep away from activities that require close contact with soil or dust.
• Wash face and hands with soap and water, especially if they have been exposed to soil or dust.