Better to address fungal infections by name rather than colour to avoid confusion: Dr Randeep Guleria
Colour of fungal infection may seem different according to the part of the body in which it is growing, said AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria. He also listed early warning signs for mucormycosis.
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UPDATED: May 24, 2021 19:48 IST
AIIMS-Delhi Director Dr Randeep Guleria addressing the Health Ministry s press conference on Covid-19 on Monday (Picture Courtesy: YouTube @PIB)
HIGHLIGHTS
Most cases of fungal infections among Covid patients in India are mucormycosis: Dr Randeep Guleria
Dr Guleria said it is challenging for hospitals to operate Covid and non-Covid wards for mucormycosis patients
Dangerous cocktail of antibiotics, steroids, excessive steam leading to surge in black fungus cases?
Studies on black fungus are now shedding light on the multiple factors that might have contributed to the sharp surge in cases of mucormycosis in India.
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UPDATED: May 23, 2021 23:01 IST
Doctors performing a Diagnostic Nasal Endoscopy to detect black fungus in a patient at a hospital in Jabalpur on Saturday (Photo Credits: PTI)
HIGHLIGHTS
Mortality among patients of mucormycosis was 30 per cent, indicate findings from another study
High temperature steam in large amounts taken excessively can damage the mucosa: Dr Rajeev Jayadevan
A study on black fungus involving 210 patients found that antibiotics were used to treat 100 per cent of these Covid-19 patients, who were later diagnosed with mucormycosis. Antiobiotics - Azithromycin, Doxycycline and Carbapenems - being prescribed for Covid patients in India, are known to increase the risk of fungal infections.
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Black fungus: ICMR releases guidelines; Do s and don ts
Amid rising cases of mucormycosis or black fungus infection among COVID patients, the Centre has released guidelines on dos and don ts for the patients. The Centre has also asked doctors to look out for signs of the rare but potentially fatal infection in Covid-19 patients.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released guidelines for early detection of infection. It has advised that after recovering from coronavirus infection, patients or their caretaker should closely monitor and should not miss any warning signs and symptoms mentioned above, as the fungal infection is found to emerge even weeks or months after recovery.