The after-effects of black fungus can be dangerous. Here’s how you can recover

The pandemic induced by the coronavirus that made its way into human life in 2020 has presented a number of unprecedented challenges. Mucormycosis is one such side-effect and variant of covid-19 that makes the battle against the virus a little more difficult. 

Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, is a rare but a severe fungal infection. Covid-19 infection damages the immune system of patients, making them prone to developing side effects like black fungus. The infection is caused by a group of mucormycetes, a group of molds that usually exist in soil and decaying organic matter. The infection is more common in people with compromised immune systems and covid-19 infection can make them vulnerable. People can contract the fungus by inhaling mold spores, or coming in contact with rotting produce. It does not spread person-to-person, but is present in the environment. 

 Symptoms of mucormycosis includes:

The symptoms of this infection can vary depending on which part of the body is infected. If the infection is growing in the brain or sinus, the symptoms will include fever, headaches, facial swelling on the affected side etc. When there’s infection in the digestive system, it will present symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and pain in the abdomen. Mucormycosis in lungs will show symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain and cough. 

Treatment for black fungus infection or mucormycosis

Early diagnosis of mucormycosis or the black fungal disease is crucial. It is extremely important to diagnose and treat the patients quickly and efficiently because the infection evolves and spreads rapidly. Antifungal medicines such as amphotericin B, posaconazole or isavuconazole  are some of the  most common medicines given to treat serious fungal infections such as mucormycosis. 

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In a few cases, the infected tissue is cut away during the surgery in order to stop the infection from spreading further. Depending upon the severity of the infection , the patients may need additional surgeries and are given anti-fungal treatment for an extended time period until the patient stabilizes. 

Also, read: Black, yellow and white fungus: What’s the difference and signs to watch out for

Recovering from black fungus can leave one exhausted and a few steps listed below can help in faster recovery: 

Keep a check on hyperglycemia: High blood sugar is one of the risk factors for mucormycosis, and while recovering from the fungal infection, it is crucial to control the blood sugar levels. This will help in a faster recovery and would also prevent the fungal infection from progressing further into an advanced stage.

Appropriate usage of steroids: Administer the right dosage at the right time to ensure a fast and smooth recovery. Do not miss any dose or stop the medication without consulting with the doctor. 

Observe the changes: Be vigilant about the change in symptoms that indicate the infection spreading to the brain and other parts. Seeking medical help early will lead to a more effective treatment and recovery.

Stay hydrated: An accurate amount of water intake will help in flushing out the infection from the body resulting in a faster recovery. 

Usage of sterile water: Keeping the infected area clean plays a crucial role in fast recovery, hence usage of sterile water for everyday cleaning of apparatus is advised. 

The last word

Mucormycosis is a rare infection and its symptoms are not known to many people. But awareness about the condition and timely response can help in reducing the spread of the infection. If diagnosed early, the infection can be treated with antifungal medicines, but a delay in treatment can aggravate the situation. The key is to pay attention to any changes in the body and act immediately.