Delhi: While several states are seeing a rise in the number of Mucromycosis or Black Fungus cases, Haryana on Saturday has declared it as a notified disease. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released an evidence-based advisory for its treatment.
What is Mucromycosis or Black Fungus?
It is a fungal infection that especially affects people who are on medication for other health issues. The infection eventually reduces the ability to fight pathogens.
Who are at Risk?
- Those with uncontrolled diabetes.
- Prolonged ICU stay.
- Immunosuppression by steroids
- Comorbidities-post transplant/malignancy.
Symptoms
- Pain and redness around eyes and/or nose.
- Fever, Headache, Coughing.
- Shortness of breath.
- Bloody vomits.
- Altered mental status.
When to suspect?
- Sinusitis-nasal blockade or congestion.
- Nasal discharge (blackish/bloody).
- Local pain on the cheek bone.
- One-sided facial pain, numbness or swelling.
- Toothache.
- Blurred or double vision with pain.
- Chest pain, worsening of respiratory symptoms.
Do's
- Control hyperglycemia.
- Monitor blood glucose level post-covid discharge.
- Use steroid judiciously.
- Use clean water for humidifiers during oxygen therapy.
- Use antibiotics/antifungals judiciously.
Don'ts
- Do not miss warning signs and symptoms.
- Do not consider all cases with a blocked nose is due to fungus.
- Do not hesitate to seek interventions.
- Tests like KOH staining, microscopy, culture, MALDITOF can be done to detect fungal etiology.
- Don’t hesitate to initiate treatment.
The government of Telangana on Saturday issued guidelines to all the hospitals with subject reading: "Urgent precautionary measures to prevent Mucormycosis during COVID."