Dr Honey Savla, Internal Medicine, Wockhardt Hospital explains what Black and White Fungus are, their symptoms and treatment below. Take a look.
Amid the second wave of COVID-19 in India, a sudden rise in Black Fungus cases have been reported from several parts of the country. Meanwhile, a couple of days ago, cases of White Fungus were reported from Patna, Bihar, which was considered more dangerous than Black Fungus.
Dr Honey Savla, Internal Medicine, Wockhardt Hospital explains what Black and White Fungus are, their symptoms and treatment below. Take a look.
What is Black Fungus?
Black fungus is called Mucormycosis. It’s a rare fungal infection caused due to exposure to mucor mould which is present in the environment. One may also catch it when the fungus "enters the skin through a cut, burn, or other types of skin trauma."
Symptoms of Black Fungus
- Watery eyes
- Pain in the eyes
- Severe headache
- Discoloration or blackening of tissue on nose and cheeks
- Congestion in the nose
- Loss or blurred vision
- Toothache
- Swelling in eyes or cheeks
- Bleeding from the nose
How is Black Fungus treated?
After infecting a person, the Black Fungus doesn't remain static, it spreads through the nose, attacks the eyes and then reaches the brain. If the infection reaches the brain, it becomes difficult to treat the patient and the chances of survival are quite less. All the tissues infected must be surgically removed. Some patients end up losing the eye/s and, in some cases, the upper jaw. The wise use of steroids in consultation with a doctor and controlling sugar level is a must. Patients might need an intravenous anti-fungal procedure spanning four to six weeks.
Meanwhile, the Centre has requested states to make it a notifiable disease. It is also taking steps to address the shortage of Amphotericin B, the drug required to treat the disease. As many as 20 vials of this injection are required to treat each infected person with each vial costing between Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000.
What is White Fungus?
White Fungus is a fungal infection where there is formation of whitish membranes or discharge caused by candida group of organisms. White fungus is a fungal infection called candidiasis. It can be caused by the unsterile use of oxygen cylinders or the overuse of steroids. It attacks body parts such as lungs, skin, nail, brain, kidney, mouth etc. Besides adults, young children are prone to White Fungus infection too. This fungus turns to be more dangerous if it is systemic. If it affects the lungs or blood then the chances of survival are less compared to if it affects other parts of the body.
Symptoms of White Fungus
- Whitish patches in the oral cavity
- White discharge
- Skin lesions
- Symptoms of pneumonia of cough, chest pain and low oxygen level.
How is White Fungus treated?
Anti-fungal drugs can be used to treat patients infected with White Fungus. Candidiasis can be treated with fluconazole or itraconazole orally. Topical applications will be required for infections in the oral cavity or genitourinary regions. Serious infections in critically ill patients are treated with caspofungin or micafungin. Additionally, White Fungus can be prevented by proper sanitisation of ventilators/oxygen cylinders and also, by taking accurate care of the medical types of equipment that are used on the patients.
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