What is causing an increase in black fungus cases? Find out below:
There was a study conducted on black fungus and experts found out that Antibiotics – Azithromycin, Doxycycline, and Carbapenems – being prescribed for Covid patients in India, are known to increase the risk of fungal infections.
The study also reveals that steroids were used in the treatment of only 14 percent of the respondents. While attributing the surge in cases of mucormycosis to the disproportionate use of steroids in Covid treatment, the Health Ministry is scaling up anti-fungal treatment to deal with the epidemic.
Black fungus has become a concern, with many states declaring it an epidemic. Nearly 9,000 confirmed cases of the rare disease have been reported from across the country, mostly in recovered Covid-19 patients.
A separate study on black fungus showed that mortality among patients of mucormycosis was 30 percent.
Excessive steam might lead to black fungus:
Data also reveals that 10-20 percent of the cases of black fungus reported in India were associated with burns. Trauma to the skin can trigger an invasive fungal infection and experts say that excessive steam inhalation could be another factor behind the rise in cases of black fungus.
The doctor explains: “There is a delicate mucous layer that protects us from bacteria and viruses and this is a slimy layer that can be destroyed by large amounts of steam.”
“High-temperature steam in large amounts taken excessively can damage the mucosa, the lining of the airways,”.
