Another dark side of COVID – MUCORMYCOSIS

As a deadly second wave of COVID-19 continues to ravage India, the medical fraternity in our Country is not only concerned about this contagious virus but also other complications that are being reported  by the patients. Cases of Mucormycosis , commonly known as the black fungus-a debilitating and life-threatening infection are being report among COVID-19 patients and survivors.

  Dr. Siddhartha Saoji, an endoscopic ENT surgeon at Wockhardt  Hospitals quoted “Mucormycosis, a life- threatening infection, is promulgating in these people  especially patients who have diabetes. If  left untreated, this can result in blindness/ Decreases vision/ double vision and even deterioration Of general condition.” For a patients infection with the fungus, the clinical deterioration may start not In a span of day but in span of just few hours. Consequently, the post COVID patients, as advised  by health experts, should remain very vigilant in looking for the early symptoms.

If someone has contracted the Mucormycosis (black fungal) infection, there are a few warning sings they Can look out for, like pain around the eyes/nose, facial swelling, double vision, decreases vision, loosening of teeth ache, headache, fever and even nose bleed.

The case of Mucormycosis  are alarmingly rising. A certain category of people are more prone to get infected by this fatal infection. People having  Diabetes, especially diabetic ketoacidosis, cancer organ transplant, Stem cell transplant, Neutropenia  (low number of white blood cell), long-term corticosteroid use, Injection drug use, too much iron  in the body (iron overload hemochromatosis),Skin injury due to surgery, burns ,or wounds, Prematurity and low birth weight  are more to get infected post COVID  infection.

The diagnosis of this is mainly based on a clinical evaluation by an ENT surgeon. A diagnostic endoscopy with visualization of the typical blackish lesion is usually followed by a biopsy to confirm the presence of fungus. Imaging with contrast MRI (or contrast CT if MRI is not feasible) is essential to understand  the extend of involvement and should be done as soon as possible.

As far the treatment is concerned all these patients require surgery, regular debridement, management  with anti-fungal drugs and other allied medical treatment as per protocol and long time follow up. Timely diagnosis and intervention result in a better out come and prevent spread of infection to eyes and brain. Dr. Saoji informed the most of the patients arrive late, when they are already losing vision, and doctors have to surgically remove the eye to stop the infection from reaching the brain. In some cases, it can require surgery; it can lead to eventual loss of the upper jaw sometime even an eye.

Here’s  Quick guide for do’s and don’t’s

Do’s-

1.       Control  hyperglycaemia

2.        Monitor blood sugar level post COVI-19 discharge even in non diabetics.

3.        use steroid judiciously

4.        use clean, sterile water for humidifiers during oxygen therapy

5.        use antibiotics and anti-fungal drugs in a prudent way

Don’t’s-

1.       Do not miss warning sings and symptoms mentioned above

2.       Do not hesitated to seek aggressive investigations in case early symptoms are observed.

3.       Do not loose the golden house to initiate the treatment for Mucormycosis and seek immediate medical care.

So keep your yes peeled for any sing and symptom and report immediately in case you experience them!!