What is black, white and yellow fungus?

As we all know India is struggling hard with the second wave of the covid-19 pandemic, cases of the new fungal infection have been increased. There are around 5,400 cases of black fungus that have been suspected in 18 states across India. This fungus infection is more deadly than the coronavirus. Currently, three types of fungal infection have been informed in the country such as black, white and yellow whereas black fungus has been declared as an ‘Epidermic’ by the central government after asking all the states across India. While states like Telangana, Rajasthan, Tamilnadu etc. have already announced that it is a noticeable disease under the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897. Black fungus is also known as ‘mucormycosis’. Union Health Ministry tweeted that around 5,400 new cases of black fungus have reported with the high majority from Gujrat and Maharashtra. Our nation’s scientists mention that this fungal disease is more prone to those people who are suffering from diabetes and taking steroids in high quantity. 

Let’s discuss what is a black, white and yellow fungus and its common symptoms through which we can identify that the person is suffering from this fungus. ‘Black fungus’ or mucormycosis is considered a life-threatening disease that infects covid-19 patients as well as recovered patients. Black fungus is obtained by mucoromycetes so it is also known as ‘mucormycosis’. It is a type of fungi and exists in the environment. Initially, black fungus surrounds blood vessels then destroy them as resultant tissue necrosis (means the death of body tissue) that can lead to the death stage. Common symptoms of Black Fungus are nasal blockage, facial pain, swelling, bleeding, discharge from the nose, numbness, blurring vision, watery eyes or double vision. 

Now the question arises how can we protect ourselves from black fungus? 

While in the hospital, we must focus on personal hygiene and cleanliness surrounding us. Maintains oral hygiene care with povidone-iodine gargles, mouthwash. We must use sterile water for humidification while taking oxygen, there must not be any leakage from the humidifier. There is a wide number of people across India who usage steroids, should be used limited NMT necessary with strict blood glucose control. It is important to stop or avoid unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics or antifungal medicines, caused by the growth of unwanted organisms or bacteria. After recovering from covid-19, the recovered patients from covid-19 need to stay indoors and do regular workout and maintain oral and nasal hygiene. They should avoid gardening as soil and plants because they highly abound with fungi. In an unavoidable situation, they must use rubber gloves, masks and boots. 

White Fungus …………………………………………………………………. 

Our experts said that white fungus is highly deadlier than mucormycosis because it spreads in several parts of the body and individually damages the lungs. But it is a myth because it is a species of Candidiasis that can be diagnosed more easily but black fungus is more dangerous as compared to white fungus (aspergillosis). The reason behind this is that it can take around 1–1.5 months, so early diagnosis is damn critical. However, there are several effects of this fungus that can be seen on the mouth skin, kidney and brain. As illustrated by Dr, Kaushal Verma at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) as a professor that white fungus initiates from the tongue and private parts, it makes the tongue white then spreads in other parts of the body i.e. lungs, food pipes and brain. The common symptoms of white fungus are cough, fever, diarrhoea, reduced oxygen level, white patches on the oral cavity, dark spots on the lungs, skin lesion etc.

 

Protection from White Fungus………………………

These fungal diseases are more prone to those people who have low immunity, so we must build and maintain a healthy immune system. In addition, we must maintain our surroundings clean and free from dust.

Now we will discuss Yellow Fungus……………………

Is it deadlier like black and white fungus? Our experts All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have quoted that this fungus starts internally that causes pus leakage as resulted slow healing of wounds. In serious cases, this fungus could bring devasting symptoms like acute necrosis (cell injury) and organ failure. Symptoms of the yellow fungus are poor appetite or no appetite, sunken eyes, weight loss and lethargy. The first case of yellow fungus has been reported in UP’s Ghaziabad. Experts say that it is scarier than black and white fungus because it directly affects the body’s internal organs. 

To protect ourselves from the yellow fungus, have several tips such as......................

Generally, the fungal infection spreads through bad hygiene, so it is highly essential to have good hygiene habits. We must keep our surrounding clean and removes stale food from the house because it will prevent the growth of fungus. Humidity plays one of the major roles to resist the growth of the fungal infection, so we must keep the humidity level between 30% to 40%.

Stay safe and build our immunity system strong!

Jai Hind! Jai Bharat! 😇😃