How To Identify Black Fungus Cases, What To Do Next? AIIMS Issues New Guidelines

After Rajasthan, the Telangana government has declared mucormycosis or ‘black fungus’ as a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.In a notification, the Telangana government said, “Fungal infection mucormycosis is hereby declared as a notifiable disease under Epidemic Diseases Act 1897.”

“All government and private health facilities shall follow guidelines for screening, diagnosis and management of mucormycosis issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and Indian Council of Medical Research,” it added.

AFP

Black fungus cases?

In other parts of the country too, the cases of the disease are rising at an alarming rate. As per a report by Hindustan Times, hospitals in Delhi have said at least 185 patients have contracted the fungal infection after being infected with Covid-19, and are admitted to seven Delhi hospitals.

In Maharashtra, 90 people have died, 1,500 affected of mucormycosis, a rare but fatal fungal infection. While in Rajasthan, there are over 100 cases of black fungus infection. The Rajasthan government has declared black fungus and epidemic in the state and also set up a separate ward for its treatment.

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Meanwhile, AIIMS has released new guidelines for detection and care for cases of black fungus. The AIIMS Covid ward has also said that those with uncontrolled diabetes, patients who are on high doses of steroid are at high risk of catching the black fungus infection.

How to identify?

The AIIMS has issued a set of guidelines in case of detection of black fungus in a patient. Watch out for:

• Abnormal black discharge or crust or blood from the nose.
• Nasal blockage, headache or eye pain, swelling around the eyes, double vision, redness of eye, loss of vision, difficulty in closing eye, inability to open the eye, prominence of the eye.

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• Facial numbness or tingling sensation.
• Difficulty in chewing or opening mouth.
• Regular self-examination: Full face examination in daylight, for facial swelling (especially nose, cheek, around the eye) or black discolouration, hardening, and pain on touch.
• Loosening of teeth. Black areas and swelling inside the mouth, palate, teeth or nose (oral and nasal examination using torchlight, as far as possible you can see).

What to do?

Those caring for Covid recovered patients should do the following things as per AIIMS new guidelines:

• Immediate consultation with an ENT doctor, ophthalmologist, or the doctor who is treating the patient in case of any abnormal findings.
• Regular treatment and follow-up. Strict control and monitoring of blood sugar in diabetics.

Representational Image/AP

• Regular medications and follow-up for other comorbidities.
• No self-medication with steroids or antibiotics or antifungal drugs.
• MRI or CT scan with contrast - paranasal sinuses and orbit, if needed, on doctor’s advice.