How to Identify Black Fungus, ICMR has Released Complete Guidelines : What to Do and What Not to Do

The advisory has been issued by the ICMR for the investigation and treatment of Black Fungus. Start treatment as soon as symptoms of black fungus are seen, as early time is important in this disease. Know what are the symptoms of black fungus? What to do and what not to do for treatment Apart from this, also know how dangerous it can be to be negligent despite showing signs of black fungus.

The Black Fungus can be fatal due to Negligence :
Mucoramycosis or Black Fungus is a fungal infection that mainly affects people who are taking medications for other health problems. Which reduces their ability to fight environmental pathogens. The sinuses or lungs of such people are affected after ingesting fungal bacteria from the air. Its symptoms are pain and redness around the eyes and nose, fever, headache, cough, shortness of breath, bloody vomiting, and changes in mental state.

How to Prevent Black Fungus
If going to a dusty construction site, use a mask. Wear shoes, long pants, full-sleeved shirts, and gloves while working between soil (gardening), moss, or compost. Maintain personal hygiene. Take a shower by rubbing well.

Also Read: ‘Black Fungus’ Cases are Increasing Continuously in Covid Patients, Health Ministry shares Symptoms and 8 Ways of Prevention Measures

Symptoms of Black Fungus
Sinusitis- nasal blockage or congestion, nasal discharge (black and bloody), pain on the cheekbone, pain on one side of the face, numbness, and swelling. The blackness above the nose/palate, toothache, loose teeth, jaw problems, skin lesions, fever, blurred or double vision with pain, thrombosis and necrosis (eschar), chest pain, pleural effusion ( Pleural Effusion), Hemoptysis, deterioration of the respiratory system

What to do when Symptoms Show
Control the amount of glucose in the blood (hyperglycemia). Monitor blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes and after Kovid-19 discharge. Use steroids judiciously – for the right time, right dose, and right duration. During oxygen therapy, use clean, sterile water for humidifiers. Use antibiotics/antifungals judiciously.

What not to do When there is a Black Fungus
Do not ignore the warning signs and symptoms. Do not treat all cases with a closed nose as a case of bacterial sinusitis, especially in the context of immunosuppression and/or immunomodulators of Kovid-19 patients. Do not hesitate to perform the necessary investigations (KOH Staining & Microscopy, Culture, MALDI-TOF), suitable for the detection of fungal etiology (Hetky). Do not waste the initial critical time in starting the treatment of mucormycosis.

Treatment of Black Fungus
Control diabetes and diabetes ketoacidosis. Reduce steroids with the aim of discontinuing them as soon as possible (if the patient is still taking them). Discontinue immunomodulating drugs. No antifungal prophylaxis is required. Comprehensive surgical debridement – to remove all necrotic material. Install a central catheter-based flexible tube for urinal clearance. Maintain adequate water level (hydration) in the body in a systemic manner. Give normal saline IV (IV) before amphotericin B infusion. Antifungal therapy at least 4-6 weeks

Black Fungus likely to Fall
Uncontrolled diabetes, immunosuppression due to steroids, prolonged stay in the ICU, co-morbidities – post-transplant / malignancy and those who have received voriconazole therapy are more likely to be exposed to black fungus