What is Mucormycosis(Black fungus)?
Mucormycosis is a rare but dangerous fungal infection. It is also widely recognised as ‘black fungus’. It is caused by a group of environmental mould called mucormycetes, which are ubiquitous.
It is a serious infection that affects various parts of your body including lungs, sinuses, skin and even the brain. If you are exposed to mucormycetes mould in any way, you will most likely get infected by it, if you have a weakened immune system.
Although it is rare, with a rise in covid-19 cases, India witnessed a huge spike in Mucormycosis. This alarmed the disease and health experts, and now, it becomes essential for us to be aware of it.
What causes Mucormycosis?
Mucormycosis is caused by the fungus mould named mucormycetes. This is commonly found in our surroundings and more especially in:
- Compost piles
- Leaves
- Soil
- Rotten wood
- Decayed fruits and vegetables
- Animal manure
This fungus mould belongs to the order Mucorales. Most of the mucor moulds do not pose threat to humans because they cannot naturally grow at our body temperature.
But the thermo-tolerant mucormycosis means that they can withstand human body temperature, can rarely cause infections to humans, and when they infect, it will be very serious.
What are the symptoms of Mucormycosis?
Mucormycosis can affect various parts of your body including your brain. The most common areas it affects are the skin and the respiratory organs. Based on where the fungus mould gets hold, the symptoms one may develop will differ.
Some common Mucormycosis symptoms are:
- Fever
- Cough
- Headache
- Nasal congestion
- Pain in the sinus
- Chest pain
- Trouble in breathing
- Sinus congestion
- Nausea and vomiting
Some other serious Mucormycosis symptoms include:
- Swelling on part of your face
- Black lesions on the nose bridge and inside of your mouth
- Severe belly pain
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Blood in stool
- Blackening of skin tissues
- Blisters, swells and rashes on the skin
- Chronic ulcers
Who are at risk?
This infection has no specified target groups. It affects people irrespective of their age or sex. However, not everyone is at the same risk.
Most of us are likely to be exposed to the mucormycetes in our daily lives. However, those who have weak immune systems are more prone to get this infection.
People who have the following conditions are at higher risk if they come in contact with this fungus mould:
- Cancer
- HIV/AIDS
- Advanced Diabetes
- Organ transplantation
- Haemochromatosis (high iron levels in the body)
- Metabolic acidosis (uneven acidic levels in the body)
- Malnutrition
- Premature babies
Is Mucormycosis(black fungus) contagious?
Mucormycosis is not a contagious disease. It cannot spread from person to person. However, this fungus can enter your body through your skin burns or cuts in your skin.
The infection also spreads from one area of your body to other areas. It may also mix in your bloodstream and cause serious infections.
Is Mucormycosis fatal?
According to health experts, Mucormycosis or black fungus disease is one of the most dreadful fungal infections that we ever witnessed. Because it is caused by the fungus mould that is present everywhere.
We often breathe in this fungus from the surrounding air. It is like walking in the ground full of mines. However, if your immune system works normally as it should be, you will not come under any risk of getting infected by this.
If the fungus enters your body, it will germinate and invade your blood vessels and the surrounding tissues. It often blocks the flow of blood and causes tissue death as it grows.
The infections can either persist in the same area or disseminate to various parts of your body through the bloodstream.
Some studies analysed the Mucormycosis mortality rate. According to that, the infection before covid-19 was around 54% fatal, and when disseminated, it was around 96% fatal.
Treatments available for black fungus
Mucormycosis diagnosis involves general physical examination, testing samples were taken out of your nose or throat, or even tissue biopsy. Sometimes, doctors even recommend CT or MRI scans to check whether the infection has affected the brain or other organs.
Although it is a dangerous infection, Mucormycosis is treatable. Mucormycosis treatment involves a range of methods from medications to surgery. Doctors prescribe a suitable Mucormycosis treatment based on the area and the severity of the infection.
The common medications most doctors may prescribe includes:
- Isavuconazole
- Amphotericin B
- Posaconazole
In the initial stages, doctors advocate the drugs through intravenous injections. This may continue for several weeks, after which, you may start to take pills.
If the infection is severe, you may have to undergo surgery. In this case, doctors may have to remove the infected tissues including part of your body parts. It may sound terrible, but it is crucial for you to get rid of this infection sooner.
Does covid-19 give rise to black fungus?
It has become a headline that there was a surge in black fungus disease/Mucormycosis during the covid-19 infection. Many patients, who were recovering from the covid-19 infection became susceptible to the black fungus.
Generally, Mucormycosis affects persons with a weak immune system. Some medications including some antibiotics and steroids have been administered to covid-19 affected persons.
These drugs are immuno-suppressants, i.e., it subdues the immune system. As a result, such people became more prone to Mucormycosis. However, there is no direct and conclusive link between covid-19 and Mucormycosis as of now.
A word of concern
Mucormycosis is a rare, yet very dangerous infection that needs immediate care if it affects it. This infection cannot be prevented altogether, however, boosting your immunity reduces the risk of getting Mucormycosis.
With advances in the medical field, this can readily be treated. However, it is crucial that you should visit consult your doctor as soon as possible if you develop any of its symptoms.
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