Rajasthan: 27% of black fungus patients were Covid positive at time of diagnosis

JAIPUR: Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, is not a post-Covid complication completely. At least 27% admitted patients diagnosed with mucormycosis were Covid positive and hadn’t recovered when they contracted the ailment.

In all, 315 cases have been reported in the state who contracted mucormycosis when they were Covid positive. So far, 849 patients, accounting for 77% patients, were admitted to hospitals with mucormycosis after recovering from Covid.
Almost one out of four persons getting admitted with mucormycosis are still Covid positive, which shows that black fungus is not completely a post-Covid complication. Sawai Man Singh Medical College has already pointed out that patients undergoing Covid treatment should monitor their sugar levels and control it as it is one of the major factor of Mucormycosis.
“In some cases, Covid may lead to vicious cycle of misfortunes. For saving life of Covid patients, steroids are given, which lead to rise in sugar levels especially in diabetic patients. This enhances chances of bacterial and fungal infection such as mucormycosis. If a Covid patient contracts mucormycosis, then doctors need to carry out a surgery. There are studies that if surgery is done in Covid patients, there is high risk of mortality,” said Dr Pawal Singhal, professor (ENT), SMS Medical College.
Out of 1,165 admitted patients diagnosed with mucormycosis in the state, 659 have undergone a surgical debridement for reducing load of fungus. Doctors are taking precautions while deciding to go for mucormycosis surgery of Covid patients.
“Covid in itself causes immune deficiency. When a patient contracts mucormycosis, it makes his recovery even more difficult. Patients require surgical debridement to reduce load of fungus. When a patient is Covid positive, surgery is not easy as we have to take precautions. If we give antifungals, it may cause damage to kidneys,” said Dr Tarun Ojha, professor and head of the department (ENT) at a private medical university.
What health experts say:
Triple immune suppression is a combination of Covid, diabetes and steroid use that enhances risk of mucormycosis
Diabetic patients need to sugar levels when infected with Covid, if they don’t do it, chances of weakening of immune system increases
Take proper care of oral hygiene as poor oral hygiene may increase chances of contracting mucormycosis
Avoid prolonged and unnecessary use of antibiotics