New Delhi: Amidst the rampant rise in cases of Covid-19, Doctors
in various parts of Delhi are witnessing a
fungal virus developing in the patients called Mucormycosis.
Mucormycosis also called as Black Fungus is a rare yet extremely severe fungal
infection caused by a batch of molds that are called mucormycetes. These molds
exist in different parts of the environment.
Black fungus
mainly infects individuals who
have major health issues or consume medicines that significantly lower their
body’s ability to fight against germs and illness. Mucormycosis can be fatal
for individuals with low immunity.
The
symptoms of Black fungus are :
● face numbness or sores
● obstructions in nasal areas
● swelling in eyes
● Severe headache
Earlier several doctors across Delhi had flagged an alert after noticing an unusual increase in such cases back in December 2020. It was reported that a total of 12 cases were recorded within a span of 15 days. According to Dr Manish Munjal, senior surgeon at Ganga Ram Hospital,the Black Fungus are quite evidently being seen again in Covid patients as their immunity hits rock bottom when they get infected.
“We
are looking at a huge rise in this
dangerous infection that has been triggered by COVID-19 again. From the past
two days six cases of Mucormycosis have been admitted. Previous year this fatal infection resulted
in severe mortality amongst patients suffering from loss of eyesight, removal
of nose bone, Removal of Jaw etc." , Dr. Manish added.
Experts
stated that the use and consumption of
steroids could be one integral reason for the fungal infections. The steroids
and the fact that many Covid patients have diabetes could be the primary
reasons for the rise in the number of Mucormycosis infections again.
"Covid patients with weak immunity are extremely prone to this fatal
infection,” stated Dr Swaroop Chairman,
Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi.