The new fear- Can you get Black fungus without COVID-19? Read-

New Delhi, May 25: The county’s healthcare system is already crumbling amid the surge in COVID cases and now, another challenge for India is at the forefront- the Black Fungus also referred to as Mucormycosis. The rapid rise in cases of this rare fungal infection is worrisome. While many states have even declared Black Fungus an epidemic, the fungal infection poses a risk to the brain, lungs, and sinuses.

 

 

So far, the Black fungus has been reported among coronavirus patients, but experts have warned that this fungal infection can happen to people without COVID-19 disease. Niti Aayog (health) member VK Paul was quoted as saying, “What medical students are taught about black fungus is that this infects diabetic people, those who have uncontrolled diabetes. The combination of uncontrolled diabetes and some other significant disease may lead to black fungus.”

 

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Dr. Paul explained that a person becomes vulnerable to black fungus when their blood sugar level reached 700-800- a situation medically known as diabetic ketoacidosis. He further said, “Any other diseases like pneumonia aggravate the situation. Now, there is Covid which itself has its impacts. Then comes the use of the steroid. All these have compounded the situation, but in short people without Covid can also get mucormycosis, if the other conditions are present.”

 

 

 

 

People who are in good health should not worry about catching this rare fungal infection, said Dr Manoj Doshi of Pune. “The reason behind the recent rise in the cases may be because the COVID variant in the second wave attacked the immunity more than it did in the first wave,” he explained. Adding, “Also, there has been rampant use of steroids, which could also be a reason for the spike in the fungal infection. But nothing can be said with certainty without proper investigation".

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