Know about mucormycosis, what to do or not.
Common questions
Can mucormycosis happen to healthy person?
Is there any treatment for black fungus?
Can we treat black fungus at home?
Can non diabetic get black fungus?
What Is Mucormycosis?
Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, is a rare but dangerous infection. It's caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes and often affects the sinuses, lungs, skin, and brain.
You can inhale the mold spores or come into contact with them in things like soil, rotting produce or bread, or compost piles.
Who Is at Risk?
The infection can happen to anyone at any age. Most people will come into contact with the fungus at some point in their everyday lives. But you're more likely to get sick if you have a weakened immune system because of a medication you're taking or because you have a health condition like:
Diabetes, especially when it isn't under control
HIV or AIDS
Cancer
Organ transplant
Stem cell transplant
Neutropenia (low white blood cell count)
Long-term steroid use
Injected drug use
High levels of iron in your body (hemochromatosis)
Bad health from poor nutrition
Uneven levels of acid in your body (metabolic acidosis)
Premature birth or low birth weight
It's also more likely if you have a skin injury like a burn, cut, or wound. And cases have been reported in people with COVID-19.
Mucormycosis isn't contagious.
Symptoms of Mucormycosis
The symptoms of mucormycosis will depend on where in your body the fungus is growing. They may include:
Fever
Cough
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Swelling on one side of your face
Headache
Sinus congestion
Black lesions on the bridge of your nose or the inside of your mouth
Belly pain
Nausea and vomiting
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Blood in your stool
Diarrhea
If your skin is infected, the area can look blistered, red, or swollen. It might turn black or feel warm or painful.
The infection can also spread to other parts of your body through your blood. This is called disseminated mucormycosis. When this happens, the fungus can affect organs like your spleen and heart. In severe cases, you may have changes to your mental state or go into a coma. It can even be deadly.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Mucormycosis
If you suspect mucormycosis, your doctor will give you a physical exam and ask about your medical history. Let them know if you've been around spoiled foods or other places in which fungal spores are often found.
If it looks like you have a lung or sinus infection, your doctor may take a sample of the fluid from your nose or throat and send it to be tested in a lab. They might also do a tissue biopsy, taking out a small piece of infected tissue for testing.
Your doctor may do imaging tests like CT or MRI scans to find out whether the infection has spread to your brain or other organs.
If you're diagnosed with mucormycosis, you should start treatment as soon as possible with prescription antifungal medications. These medicines stop the growth of the fungus, destroy it, and bring the infection under control.
You might take:
Amphotericin B
Isavuconazole
Posaconazole
You get these medications through a vein (intravenous or IV) or as pills that you swallow. Your doctor may start with high doses through an IV until the infection is under control, which can take several weeks. Then, you'll switch to pills.
Let your doctor know if a medication has troublesome side effects like stomach pain, heartburn, or trouble breathing. They may be able to change your treatment plan.
In severe cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove infected or dead tissue to keep the fungus from spreading. This might include removing parts of your nose or eyes. It can be disfiguring. But it's crucial to treat this life-threatening infection.
Mucormycosis Complications and Outlook
Complications of mucormycosis include:
Blindness
Blood clots or blocked vessels
Nerve damage
Mucormycosis can be deadly without treatment. Because the infection is so rare, the exact mortality rate isn't clear. But researchers estimate that overall, 54% of people with mucormycosis die.
The likelihood of death depends on which part of the body is affected. The outlook is better for people wh
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