Mucormycosis / black fungus and COVID | BLACK FUNGUS | CORONA VIRUS | MUCORMYCOSIS TOOTH PAIN | BLACK FUNGUS IN MOUTH

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 Mucormycosis is caused by an infection with a saprophytic fungus that usually occurs in soil or as a

 mold on decaying food. the organism is OPPORTUNISTIC rather than true pathogen,which means it

  mainly affects people who are on medication for other health problems that reduces their ability to fight environmental pathogens.

PREDISPOSING FACTORS

PATIENTS WITH DECREASED HOST RESISTANCE

  • POORLY CONTROLLED DIABETES
  • HEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES
  • UNDERGOING CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY
  • IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE DRUG THERAPY LIKE STEROID USE
  • COVID 19 PATIENTS UNDER TREATMENT

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

  • Pain and redness around eyes and/or nose
    • Fever
    • Headache
    • Coughing
    • Shortness of breath
    • Bloody vomits
    • Altered mental status
    • Sometimes nasal discharge
    • Ptosis (drooping eyes)
    • Proptosis (protrusion of eyballs)
    • Swelling of the cheek
    • Paresthesia of the face

    THIS COULD OCCUR DUE TO INHALATION OF THE FUNGUS BY SUSCEPTIBLE HOST.The fungus invades the arteries and causes damage secondary to thrombosis and ischemia.The fungus may spread from oral and nasal region to the BRAIN CAUSING DEATH IN FEW CASES TOO.

    WHEN TO SUSPECT:
    • Nasal blockade ,nasal discharge ,pain around cheek regions (more like sinusitis )
    • Tooth pain, Loosening of tooth, JAW PAIN, fungal white patches on tongue and palate (inside bony part in upper jaw ) 
    • SKIN LESION,
    • Blurred vision
    • Blackish discolouration over nasal bridge/palate
    • Chest pain, 
    • Pleural effusion
    • Haemoptysis
    • Worsening of respiratory symptoms
    • FEVER

    PREVENTIVE MEASURES :

    Cover your face with mask,wear long trousers,use gloves when handling soil and maintain personal hygiene.

    Control DIABETES under physician supervision

    Steroid use has to be discussed with your DOCTOR.

    MANAGEMENT :

    Steroid use has to be reduced under consent only.

    Antifungal Therapy, for at least 4-6 weeks


    Extensive Surgical Debridement - to remove all necrotic materials


    Systemic hydration should be maintained.


    Normal saline IV before Amphotericin B infusion



    THIS TOPIC HAS SUDDENLY GOT MORE ATTENTION BECAUSE WITH CORONA VIRUS BEING DEADLY ALL OVER THE WORLD , PATIENTS ARE BEING TREATED WITH STEROIDS AND THIS HAS AN EFFECT ON THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEM AND THESE FUNGAL SPORES ATTACK THE ALREADY COVID AFFECTED LUNGS AND SINUSES LEADING TO THE SO CALLED MUCORMYCOSIS.
     

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