Black fungus, medically known as mucormycosis, is a rare but serious infection caused by mucor, a common fungus in the environment that we inhale daily. This infection typically arises when a person’s immune system is severely weakened.
To prevent black fungus infections, it’s essential to focus on maintaining strong immunity since avoiding exposure to mucor entirely is impossible.
This condition is extremely rare, and only a few specialized doctors typically treat it. Its rarity means that even a postgraduate medical student encountering a case during training is uncommon. As a result, recognizing black fungus infections in practice can be challenging since most doctors are familiar with them theoretically rather than through hands-on experience. However, when doctors do identify the condition, they promptly refer the patient to a specialist with the necessary expertise for treatment.
Conditions That Lower Immunity and Increase Black Fungus Risk
Certain health conditions can significantly weaken immunity, making individuals more vulnerable to black fungus infections. These include:
Organ transplant patients on immune-suppressing medications
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or on anti-cancer drugs
Individuals with immune deficiency syndromes (e.g., AIDS)
Patients on long-term steroid therapy
Uncontrolled diabetes, which is the most common risk factor
COVID-19 and a few viral attacks
Among these, uncontrolled diabetes is especially high risk due to its prevalence and significant impact on immunity.
COVID-19 and Few Viral Attacks Can Cause Mucormycosis
Post-COVID-19 Black Fungus Patients
COVID-19 viral infections trigger mucormycosis (black fungus). During India’s first COVID-19 wave, Dr. Meghanadh, an expert and author, treated 30 black fungus cases. In the more severe second wave, he saw 500 cases but could only treat 170 due to constraints. Typically, he sees only single-digit cases annually.
It is important to note that this trend was particularly seen in the Indian sub-continent only, and most of these patients had uncontrolled diabetes as a preexisting condition.
Recent Alarming Trend
By September 18, 2024, Hyderabad had experienced a rise in viral infections over the past month. These infections primarily affected the upper respiratory tract and caused body aches that lasted about a week.
Most cases were resolved without any issues, but Dr. Meghanadh reported four mucormycosis cases in the last 30 days, matching the total seen in all of 2023.
Notably, none of these recent patients had common risk factors like organ transplants, cancer, or uncontrolled diabetes. All had recently suffered from viral infections.
Steps to Prevent Black Fungus Infections
As mentioned earlier, to prevent black fungus infections, we need to maintain our immunity. Here are essential steps to take:
Manage Blood Sugar: Keeping diabetes well-controlled is crucial. Regular monitoring and appropriate treatment can significantly reduce infection risk. As mentioned earlier, even in post-COVID-19 cases, most cases were seen in patients with pre-existing conditions of uncontrolled diabetes.
Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle:
Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals.
Get adequate sleep to support immune health.
Exercise regularly to boost overall immunity.
For patients with conditions like organ transplants, cancer, or AIDS, completely avoiding the risk of black fungus might not be possible, but these measures can help reduce vulnerability.
Special Considerations for Conditions Like COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, mucormycosis cases surged. Doctors who typically saw only a few cases per year suddenly encountered hundreds within months, primarily in patients with untreated diabetes.
To prevent black fungus infections during illnesses like COVID-19 or similar high-risk conditions, consider these steps:
Use N95 Masks: Wearing an N95 mask can effectively block fungal spores. High-risk patients should continue wearing the mask during COVID-19 recovery and for a few weeks afterwards, removing it only when necessary (e.g., for eating or drinking).
Seek Prompt Treatment: Treating COVID-19 or similar conditions promptly reduces the likelihood of mucormycosis by supporting immune recovery.
By managing health proactively and following these guidelines, individuals at risk can better protect themselves against black fungus infections.
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