🦠Who Can Get Black Fungus (Mucormycosis)?
What Is Black Fungus?
“Black fungus,” medically known as mucormycosis, is a rare but serious fungal infection caused by molds called mucormycetes, commonly found in soil, decaying vegetation, and manure :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
How Do People Get Infected?
- By inhaling spores—leading to sinus or lung infections.
- Through skin wounds/cuts—causing cutaneous infections.
- Less commonly, via ingestion—leading to gastrointestinal involvement :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
The disease isn’t contagious—it doesn’t spread between people or animals :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
Who Is at Risk?
- Weakened immune systems: individuals with neutropenia, cancers (especially hematologic), or organ transplant recipients :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
- Diabetes mellitus: especially uncontrolled diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis—a leading risk globally and in India :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
- Long-term corticosteroid or immunosuppressant use: common in COVID‑19 treatment or managing chronic conditions :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
- Iron overload or metabolic acidosis: high iron levels aid fungal growth :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
- Skin injuries: burns, trauma, surgical wounds that allow direct fungal invasion :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
Why Did It Boom in India During COVID‑19?
- Pre‑existing uncontrolled diabetes—common in India :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
- Widespread, sometimes excessive, steroid use in COVID‑19 :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
- COVID‑19 itself causes immune dysregulation :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
- Poor glycemic control during illness and home treatment :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
Key Types of Mucormycosis
- Rhinocerebral: affects sinuses, eyes, and potentially the brain—common in diabetic or transplant patients :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
- Pulmonary: primarily in people with hematologic cancers or those who had transplants :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
- Cutaneous: after skin trauma or burns :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
- Gastrointestinal & Disseminated: rarer, but seen in immunocompromised individuals :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
Preventive Measures
- Good hygiene and prompt cleaning of wounds.
- Managing blood sugar aggressively, especially during illness :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
- Use steroids cautiously and only under medical guidance.
- Avoid exposure to dust, soil, and decaying organic matter when immunocompromised.