India is currently dealing with a devastating second Covid-19 wave that has swept through the nation, crushing the country's health infrastructure and overburdening frontline medical workers. The number of coronavirus cases in the country is increasing day by day.
In addition, the incidence of black fungus is increasing among those who have recovered from COVID-19 but have comorbidities such as diabetes, kidney or heart failure or cancer.
Vidarbha and Marathwada region are witnessing a rise in the number of Covid-triggered mucormycisis cases. Speaking to Lokmat in this regard, the head of the state task force Dr. Sanjay Oak gave detailed information. Excessive use of steroids while treating corona patients can lead to black fungal disease, said Dr. Sanjay Oak.
Atul Kulkarni, a senior journalist from Lokmat, in conversation with Dr Sanjay Oak, raised the question of the growing incidence of black fungus, especially among those who have recovered from COVID-19 in Vidarbha and Marathwada.
Speaking on this, Dr. Oak said that Black fungus or mucormycosis is a fungal infection triggered by COVID-19. The disease is rare, it is an acute fungal disease. This type of disease has not been commonly found in the last three decades. However, since last one and half year there has been an increase in the incidence of black fungus, Dr. Oak explained.Swelling in the eyes or cheeks and black crusts in the nose are found in most cases. The disease is so severe that occasional vision loss may occur and the eye may need to be removed.If the disease occurs near the bone on the cheek, the part may have to be removed. If it happens near the mouth, the jaw may have to be removed.In fact, it could also lead to death, said Dr. Oak.However, most corona treatments have been found to have microscopic symptoms of Candida fungus or similar fungi.
The use of steroids in the treatment of COVID-19 coupled with the fact that many coronavirus patients have diabetes could be one of the reasons for this rise in the number of black fungus cases again. He said the infection is commonly seen in patients who have recovered from COVID-19 but have comorbidities such as diabetes, kidney or heart failure or cancer. COVID patients with a weak immunity are more prone to this deadly infection.
Numerous meetings have been held with village doctors through video conferencing on how to follow a specific method of treatment for corona. Doctors often seem to have a passion for steroids. So far, it has been used more and more. Steroids are a double-edged sword. Doctors should be careful about using it, said Dr. Oak. The other thing is that doctors are under tremendous stress. Relatives often insist on giving a certain medicine. The best example of this is Remdesivir. Often doctors do not want to give Remdesivir. However, Dr. Oak pointed out that there is pressure from relatives to give it.