What is mucormycosis and how does it affect diabetic? Mucormycosis or black fungus is a life-threatening fungal infection. Mainly, people with diabetes who have recovered from COVID-19 illness are developing mucormycosis
With India grappling with managing the incessant surge in the number of COVID-19 cases, the doctors are now having to control another deadly infection of black fungus or mucormycosis. But do you know what mucormycosis is and that impacts this fungal infection affecting people with diabetes?
Mucormycosis or black fungus is a life-threatening fungal infection. Mainly, people with diabetes who have recovered from COVID-19 illness are developing mucormycosis. Also, people who had a prolonged stay at the intensive care unit are prone to contract this deadly infection. Mucormycosis needs proper care; when left unattended, it can be fatal.
Mucormycosis is a rare but life-threatening fungal infection caused due to exposure to mucor molds. Mucor is typically present in decaying plants and fruits, and compost soil. However, this fungus may be found in the mucous membrane of healthy individuals. But when it affects the lungs, brains, and sinuses, the infection can be fatal.
What are the symptoms seen in people affected with mucormycosis?
While the fungal infection is not something new but coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has caused havoc. individuals affected with mucormycosis usually exhibit the following symptoms:
- Sinusitis
- Pain in one side of the face
- Fever
- Headache
- Cough
- Blurred vision
- Blackish discoloration on the bridge of the nose, sometimes on the palate too.
- Toothache
- Pain in chest
Who is at risk of developing mucormycosis?
It is not unusual to find mucor molds in the mucous membrane of healthy people. The mucor mold is typically present in moist air and wet surfaces. But if mucor mold infiltrates the sinuses, lungs, or brain, the complications can be fatal. The individuals who are at risk of getting infected with black fungus or mucormycosis post-COVID-19 include:
- People with diabetes/ People who have uncontrolled blood sugar levels
- People having cancer
- People who are on immunomodulating drugs.
- People who had a prolonged stay at the ICU
How to avoid developing mucormycosis?
The black fungus mainly affects people with uncontrolled blood sugar levels. Rarely, non-diabetic people get affected by this mold. To avoid mucormycosis, one must follow a few tips, which include:
- Keep your blood sugar level in control. However, you are not going outside, exercise regularly indoors.
- While you are in ICU, make sure to use clean, sterile water for humidification. Also, if you take steam at home, make sure the water used is clean.
- If you recently had an organ transplant or have an auto-immune disorder and got infected with COVID-19, talk to your doctor and ask for his suggestion for continuing immunomodulating drugs.
If you have diabetes and get admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 infection, please tell your doctor about it.
Dr. Sandeep Kumar Sahu
MD(Med), DM (Endocrinology) Assistant Professor,
Hi-Tech Medical College and Hospital,
Bhubaneswar, Orissa state.
