COVID-linked Mucormycosis fungal infection, symptoms, causes, and treatment: Authorities have confirmed the outbreak of another deadly disease in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Mucormycosis, a rare but deadly fungal disease has found its victims in parts of Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Delhi. This fungal disease has alerted authorities and organizations, while the Covid-19 pandemic still looms over most of India.
According to a report in India Today, out of the 44 recent cases of mucormycosis in Ahmedabad, nine patients died. The infection has also resulted in eyesight loss for some people.
ENT surgeons at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) have said that this disease is not new but what’s new is the increase in cases of COVID-triggered mucormycosis.
“In the last 15 days, ENT surgeons have seen 13 cases of COVID-19-triggered mucormycosis in over 50 percent patients, with loss of eyesight, and removal of nose and jaw bone needed,” it said. Mortality is currently being seen in the range of 50 percent (five patients), with certain deaths when there is the involvement of the brain, the hospital authorities said.
What is Mucormycosis?
According to healthline.com, Mucormycosis is a type of fungal infection. It’s relatively rare, but also very serious. Formally known as zygomycosis, this infection tends to occur most often if you have weakened immunity from an illness or health condition.
It’s important to get treatment. If left untreated, mucormycosis can be fatal.
“These fungi aren’t harmful to most people. However, for people who have weakened immune systems, breathing in micromycetes spores can cause an infection in the lungs or sinuses which can spread to other parts of the body,” the CDC writes.
Dr. Bela Prajapki, head of ENT at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital told India Today TV that all the cases reported so far were of patients over 50 years of age and suffering from diabetes or other diseases.
Mucormycosis Symptoms:
The infection must not be left undiagnosed for long or it can lead to loss of vision, nose, jaw bones, and even death. A person with this fungal infection generally experiences the following symptoms:
Face numbness
One-side nose obstruction
Eye-swelling
sinus pain
headache
Mucormycosis Diagnosis
You should see a doctor if you are experiencing the above symptoms post the COVID recovery. A definite diagnosis will be made by identification of fungi in the patient’s tissue. For this, a doctor may collect a sample of your nasal discharge.
Mucormycosis Treatment
Most patients have suffered significant tissue damage by the time diagnosis is made. Hence, most patients require anti-fungal medication and surgical debridement.
