As the world battles the deadly COVID 19, doctors have warned of a rare infection known as 'black fungus' follow
ing hundreds of cases recorded in India.The black fungus (Mucormycosis) is caused by exposure to a group of moulds called mucormycetes. It has a potential to kill patients and has mortality rate of 50%. The black fungus is spreading in parallel to COVID 19.
Symptoms of the disease include blackish discolouration over the nose, blurred or double vision, chest pain and breathing difficulties, sinus pain, nasal congestion. The infection is usually found in patients with diabetes and could be triggered by use of steroids which is used for COVID 19 treatment. cases of black fungus have been reported in countries like United States of America, Britain, France and Mexico, but numbers are higher in India owing to a number of cases of uncontrolled diabetes.
If left untreated for long , it can lead to permanent damage, such as loss of eyesight, as well as death.
