December 3, 2024

Mucormycosis

Why in News:

A number of Covid-19 patients are developing a serious fungal infection known as Mucormycosis also called black fungus.

Key facts:

  • It is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes, which is abundant in the environment.
  • It mainly affects people who have health problems or take medicines that lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness.
  • The types of Mucormycosis are: Rhinocerebral (Sinus and Brain), Pulmonary (Lung), Gastrointestinal, Cutaneous (Skin), and disseminated Mucormycosis.

Transmission:

  • It occurs through inhalation, inoculation, or ingestion of spores from the environment.
  • Mucormycosis does not spread between people or between people and animals.

Symptoms:

  • These include pain and redness around eyes and/or nose, fever, headache, coughing, shortness of breath, bloody vomits, and altered mental status.
  • Warning signs can include toothache, loosening of teeth, blurred or double vision with pain.

Prevention:

Avoiding areas with a lot of dust like construction or excavation sites, avoiding direct contact with water-damaged buildings and flood water after hurricanes and natural disasters and avoiding activities that involve close contact to soil.

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