India Record Cases of Fungal Infection in Covid-19 Patients

Despite the fact that mucormycosis (black fungus disease) was not common during the third wave of the pandemic, some cases of fungal infection have emerged, much to the astonishment of doctors in Kolkata.

No less than two patients are being treated in a city hospital presently. While one of the patients is doing better, the other is still in a critical condition.  

(Photo : WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Reported Cases of Mucormycosis

During the second wave, COVID survivors across the county were terrified of contracting mucormycosis.

Only two government institutions in Bengal - IPGME&R, which was designated as the apex centre for treating infected patients, and Bankura Sammilani Medical College (BSMC), one of the two regional centres for black fungus - reported close to 150 cases, according to Times of India. 

"Since mucormycosis cases have not been reported this time, I was surprised when we got two suspected cases. Biopsy report in both cases have confirmed mucormycosis," said Arjun Dasgupta, an ENT surgeon who is the doctor to the patients at CMRI.

The first is a 50-year-old woman from Kolkata who got facial swelling after Covid, and the second is a 60-year-old guy who has many comorbidities, including diabetes. While the woman is improving, the other patient, who was referred from another hospital, is in severe condition, Dasgupta said. 

Also Read: Potentially Deadly 'Black Fungus' Keeps Appearing in COVID-19 Patients in India

Why Are Covid-19 Patients Developing Black Fungus?

Doctors in the second wave referred to prolonged steroid treatment and oxygen therapy as the major reason why Covid patient are developing mucormycosis

Hospitals may not be receiving mucormycosis cases this time because of reduced steroid use, fewer Covid-induced diabetic cases, and fewer ICU admissions, said Biman Kanti Ray, professor of neurology at the Bangur Institute of Neurosciences. 

This time, ENT Surgeon Shantanu Panja of Apollo Multispecialty Hospital has only received one suspicious case. Only the upper respiratory tract is affected in the majority of Covid infections this time.

As a result, there was no need for oxygen. Doctors only came across one probable case, but a fungal smear test was unable to confirm mucormycosis Panja remarked. 

A 60-year-old patient who had received a renal transplant and tested positive for Covid was treated for mucormycosis at the RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences a few weeks ago.

(Photo : Rebecca Conway/Getty Images)

Symptoms of Mucormycosis

Mucormycosis symptoms vary depending on the location of the fungus in the body. If any signs of mucormycosis is detected, contact your doctor. 

People who have disseminated mucormycosis are often already ill, making it difficult to tell which symptoms are connected to the disease. Patients with a brain infection that has spread to other parts of the body may experience mental abnormalities or coma.

The symptoms mucormycosis include: Swelling on one side of the face, headache, nasal congestion, and fever .

Related Article: Black Fungus: How COVID-19 Patients Get Infected With the Deadly Mucormycosis

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