What is Black Fungus and why does it appear after COVID-19?

So far scientists indicate that it is a rare condition but it has affected thousands of people with covid-19 in India and recently someone has died from the fungus in Argentina.

But what is the Black Mushroom?

According to the US government website, medlineplus.gov,:

Mucormycosis, It is a fungal infection (fungi) of the paranasal sinuses, the brain or the lungs. It occurs in some people with a weakened immune system.

Indeed, after having covid-19 the body is weakened, the immune system is as if it had been applied very high intensity radiotherapy, totally disabled and any nasal infection can lead to something similar to what is indicated in the definition.

According to the words of the creator of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V: “The human is disabled after suffering from covid-19”

Causes of mucormycosis:

Mucormycosis is caused by different types of fungi that are usually found in decomposing organic matter. This matter includes decomposing bread, fruits and vegetables, as well as piles of soil and compost. Most people come into contact with these fungi at some point.

However, people who have a weakened immune system are more likely to get mucormycosis. This includes people with any of the following conditions:

• AIDS
• Cancer
• Burns
• Diabetes (usually poorly controlled diabetes)
• Leukemia and lymphoma
• Long-term use of steroids
• Metabolic acidosis
• Poor diet (malnutrition)
• Use of some medications

Other situations that can be seen with mucormycosis:

• A sinus and brain infection called a rhinocerebral infection: It can start as a sinus infection and then cause inflammation of the nerves that come from the brain.
• It can also cause blood clots that block vessels to the brain.
• An infection of the lungs called pulmonary mucormycosis – pneumonia that is rapidly getting worse and can spread to the chest cavity, heart, and brain.
• Other parts of the body: mucormycosis of the gastrointestinal tract, skin and kidneys.

“When the immune system is weakened due to cancer treatment, diabetes or the use of steroids, these organisms take advantage and multiply”

What is it and how is it spread?

Doctors believe that mucormycosis may be caused by the use of steroids for the treatment of seriously ill or critically ill patients with covid-19. Diabetic people are known to be at increased risk of mucormycosis.

Steroids reduce inflammation in the lungs and help stop some of the damage possible when the body’s immune system ramps up to fight Covid-19. However, they also lower immunity and increase blood sugar levels. That is why it particularly affects people with diabetes.

“Bacteria and fungi are present in our body, but the immune system keeps them in check,” explained K. Bhujang Shetty, director of Narayana Nethralaya Hospital in India.

Is there a treatment for Black Fungus?

The only effective drug against the disease is an antifungal intravenous injection that must be given every day for up to eight weeks.

How is the Black Fungus transmitted?

As it is spread by fungal spores present in the air or in the environment, it is difficult to avoid, although a healthy person, or without problems with the immune system, should not fear contagion.

Mucormycosis is not contagious between people or animals. It develops in patients with the favorable conditions in their body, such as diabetes or immunosuppression caused by other diseases.

It must be borne in mind that this fungus when installed is quite aggressive and is very resistant to the antifungal mentioned as the only available treatment, in India to stop the advance in some patients they have had to remove an eye due to the rapidity with which it spreads .

Newsroom Notiactual.com