Black Fungus – emerging as another epidemic with White Fungus. Image Courtesy – Gaon Connection English
In India, black fungus infection or mucormycosis has been declared an epidemic. Many people are affected. Black fungal infections are increasing in various states. Some have skin ulcer, some have lungs or kidney infections, infections in brain to eyes, and various body parts infected with this toxic fungus. The disease has become alarming with the increasing number of deaths.
Scientists from different countries have started new research to prevent the type of infection observed in the body of COVID-19 patients. Dr. Ashraf Ibrahim, a microbiologist at The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation in Los Angeles, has discovered a new way to treat black fungus with antibodies.
Dr. Ashraf Ibrahim conducts research on fungi, parasites, and viruses in an organization named Vitalex Biosciences, LLC. The treatment of the disease has also been defined. The Researcher has recently expressed concern over the spread of mucormycosis in India in his Twitter account.
In his words, black fungal infections are not new. However, the way the fungal infection is spreading in the body of corona patients or patients who have overcome corona infections is a cause for concern. He says black fungus infection can be fatal, especially in patients with COVID-19 and also for those who have diabetes.
According to Dr. Ashraf Ibrahim, people with diabetes or cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy have lower levels of white blood cells. We have to keep in mind that white blood cells keep the body’s immune system active. Therefore, patients with diabetes or cancer have a higher risk of mucormycosis. Those who have had organ transplants are also at risk of infections.
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What actually happens in black fungal infection?
When black fungus enters the body, it causes necrosis. Necrosis means dead cells. Necrosis happens when healthy cells are damaged by a parasitic infection, toxin, or side effect of a drug. These dead cells also infect the fresh cells of the body. The fresh cells of the body gradually become infected and begin to break down. As a result of this, the limbs of the body become destroyed.
According to experts, necrosis can be of two types — (i) dead cells can become dry, thick, and turn black or brown, and (ii) the cells may turn yellow, green, or brown in colour.
In case of necrosis, there will be severe wounds, sores, rashes on the skin, and that is exactly what happens to patients with black fungus infection.
Dr. Ibrahim says, excessive use of medicines like steroids is also a cause of black fungal infections. He says patients with low or uncontrolled blood sugar are much more likely to develop mucormycosis.
The government of India mentions all the states to notify mucormycosis or black fungus infection as an epidemic. In the meantime, another infection has also been found in some people. The infection is called a white fungus.
Some new cases of white fungus have been found in Patna, Bihar. It has been described as more dangerous than black fungus by the doctors.
What are the causes of white fungus infection?
Doctors say that this infection can be caused due to low immunity. The infection can be contracted if people come in contact with things that contain these substances like water, etc. Cleanliness is very important to refrain from this infection.
Important symptoms of white fungus infection
The doctors say that patients infected with white fungus show symptoms like COVID-19 but, if tested, the report comes as negative. A proper diagnosis can be done through CT-Scan or X-ray. The doctors also say that white fungus can affect not only the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body like the mouth, stomach, kidney, brain, private parts, skin, nails, etc.
