Mucormycosis cases in Covid patients: AIIMS chief warns against misuse of steroids

New Delhi, May 15: "Covid-19 is a risk factor for Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus," said AIIMS director Randeep Guleria, adding that uncontrolled diabetes and irrational use of steroids increases the risk of the fungal infection.

"As COVID-19 cases are increasing, it's of paramount importance that we follow protocols of infection control practices at hospitals. It is been seen that secondary infections, fungal and bacterial are causing more mortality," he added.

He said that misuse of steroids is a major cause behind the infection (Mucormycosis). Chances of fungal infection increase in the patients who are diabetic, COVID positive and are taking steroids. To prevent it, we should stop the misuse of steroids.

He said,"This disease (Mucormycosis) can affect the face, infecting nose, orbit of eye, or brain, which can cause even vision loss. It can also spread to the lung."