Dr Randeep Guleria, chief of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi who has been at the forefront listing out the dos and don’ts and advising people about the Coronavirus, has listed out a few symptoms of ‘Black Fungus’ which is being widely reported in India.
People who are recovering from COVID-19 and have issues of persistent headache or swelling on one side of the face, discolouration in the mouth and decreased sensation in any part of the face, should immediately consult a doctor and get tested for black fungus.
Listing out more such symptoms, Dr Guleria said, "If your nose is getting blocked and there is thrusting...those are early signs that you should start worrying. If there is loosening of a tooth, then, too, you should immediately consult your doctor."
Black Fungus infection or Mucormycosis can be determined in several ways, like an X-ray or a CT Scan of the sinuses is done to check if an infection is there. A biopsy through nasal endoscopy can be done for a second option, he added. "There is also a blood test that can be done... a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based test," Dr Guleria informed.
The number of black fungus cases has increased in India, despite it not being contagious, because of a large diabetic population and the unrestricted use and sale of steroids, he said. Cases of Mucormycosis had also been reported in the first wave, he added, however, the number is higher during the second wave due to the extreme use of steroids.
Doctor Guleria further said that people of all age groups and non-Covid patients can also get Mucormycosis, however, those above 40, who are also diabetic, are more at risk.
Children have a mild infection rate that does not require the use of steroids, thus making them less prone to catching Mucormycosis
As the nation reels under the deadly second wave of Covid, the centre on Friday stated that it was working to alleviate the medicine shortage used for treating the rare fungal disease hitting the recovering Covid patients.
Black Fungus causes blurred or double vision, chest pain and breathing difficulties, such cases have seen a surge in India mostly affecting the COVID-19 patients.
According to reports as many as 7,250 such cases of black fungus have been found across the country as of May 19.
The health ministry said it was looking for more companies to manufacture the antifungal drug amphotericin B used to treat it and also increase imports of the medication. This would lead to an increase in supply by almost 250 per cent to around 5.7 lakh vials in June, the ministry informed.