Amid the news of black fungus creating destructions amplifying Covid – 19 complications in India, now cases of white fungus are being reported from various parts of the country.
On Thursday May 20, the first case of white fungus was reported in Patna, Bihar. It is an infection which affects lungs in a similar manner to Covid – 19. Four white fungus cases have been reported so far in Patna. Apart from damaging the lungs, it can affect nail, skin, kidney, stomach, mouth, private parts and brain also.
In Karnataka, first incident of white fungus in patients has been found in six Covid patients in a private hospital at Raichur on May 22. The white fungus has been reported in people who have recovered from Covid, said Gastro, Liver, and Endoscopic expert Dr. Manjunath.
Dr. Deepak R Madi, Deputy Medical Superintendent of KMC Hospital Attavar said, “White Fungus cases are common even without covid. It is mostly seen in Cancer patients who have had organ transplant and hence have low immunity.”
Chronic diabetic patients, and patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy treatment should take serious care as they are most likely to be infected by this fungus. The infection can be treated by Antifungal drugs, stated Dr. S. N. Singh, head of PMCH’s Microbiology Department in a news channel.
People with low immunity, kidney diseases, diabetics or patients who have been taking steroids for long are at a higher risk of getting infected by this fungus. It is preventive by maintaining high hygiene for patients who are undergoing oxygen therapy or ventilator. Sterilised water should be used for oxygen cylinder and humidifier, he added.
Misuse of steroids should be reduced to prevent this fungal infection or reduce chance of getting infected. And Covid patients who are diagnosed in the initial stages, and with minimal infection need not have to take steroids.
Those who take steroids everyday due to diabetes should monitor the sugar level, because high level of sugar can increase the chance of fungal infection. White fungus is apparently dangerous than black fungus.
In Patna, Bihar the patients with white fungus showed the similar symptoms of Corona virus, including lung infection but all of them have tested negative. Unlike black fungus the transmission of white fungus to other parts of the human body is formidable.
Now Covid 19 positive cases are declining in India as most of the states are under complete lockdown. Fatality rate also has declined from 4000 to 3000 giving tranquillity.
Even if these infections are dangerous there is no need to be panic. In their initial stages they all can be controlled with keen attention.
More about black fungus
The new complication black fungus or Mucormycosis has seen a serious surge in India, however it is a rare though a serious infection. Many patients who are treated with steroids develop black fungus. Such patients suffer from pain around eyes and face, black nasal discharge, headache, fever and cough. The government of India has asked all the states to announce Mucormycosis as an epidemic disease. Though treating the fungus is difficult since several states are reporting shortage of vaccine which is used to treat black fungus.
In general, fungal infections are also known as mycosis with most fungi are harmless to humans. In some specific conditions it can cause diseases. Fungi reproduces by releasing spores that can be picked up by direct contact or even inhaled. In this way fungal infections are most likely to affect skin, nails, or lungs of human body.
