Mucormycosis a.k.a. Black Fungus

Mucormycosis, more commonly known as the black fungus, is a very rare, serious, and distinctive infection. This infection is not transmissible hence, it cannot be passed on from people or animals. The main cause of this disease is mucor mold, which is frequently found in materials such as manure, soil, and putrescent vegetables and/or fruits in the environment. It is caused by a category of molds known as mucormycetes.

Though the fungus can originate from and affect many parts of the body, it mainly acts on the lungs, teeth, and sinuses as well as the brain. If a person is having any type of skin injury such as a rash, cut, or burn, this infection can also take place there. Only during advanced stages does the infection affect the eye, and nervous system, thus threatening the life of the patient. This fungal infection can be fatal for patients with diabetes, cancer, and other serious viruses such as AIDS/HIV. It is also life-threatening for people with severe immunosuppression. This fungal infection, which has a mortality rate of over 50% is believed to be triggered by the use of steroids that are necessary for the COVID-19 vaccine. Steroids are used in order to reduce the lung inflammation that COVID-19 causes. Unfortunately, there is a major immunity drop in the patients who have taken steroids. This immunity reduction is what doctors believe to be the trigger of the black fungus.

Most people that have been affected with this virus have been a victim of coronavirus. Less than two weeks after they have had COVID-19, many patients contract Mucormycosis. Many people who have had this infection have needed to get an eye removed through surgery in order to live and to prevent the infection from spreading further.

There are few ways to prevent this infection:

1. Wear a mask.

2. Keep your blood sugar levels low.

3. Wear long gloves if you are doing and work materials like soil, or decaying vegetables.

4. Wash your hands frequently.

5. If you are doing any of the activities in the third point, do not touch your face or any skin wound until you have washed your hand thoroughly.

None of us, not even doctors know when this second wave will pass, and what will come after that. But we can all only hope that COVID-19 will subside, thus resulting in lesser people contracting the black fungus.

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