Mucormycosis called Black Fungus an invasive fungal infection of the sinuses in Covid-19 patients has become a cause of concern for hospitals across the state, owing to the short supply of the life-saving drug Amphotericin-B in its liposomal form.
There are at least 3000 to 4000 patients undergoing treatment at present in many hospitals across the country.
The rapid spread of the infection also called black fungus has meant an increase in the number of daily surgeries. Doctors say that while early detection increases the chances of recovery, many patients developing mucormycosis continue to be Covid-19 positive, leaving little or no chance for treatment.
The medicine for the black fungus is available in batches but if the number of infected patients increases in the coming days, it will be a problem.
The regular version of the drug, which is more freely available in lyophilised powder form, is not recommended for patients with comorbidities.
On average, a patient requires close to 120 injections for long-term treatment. The common symptoms associated with the disease include headache, nasal congestion, facial pain, loss of vision or pain in eyes, swelling in cheeks and eyes and black crusts in the nose.
The US Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention estimates Mucormycosis with an overall all-cause mortality rate of 54%.
“Mucormycosis can be very dangerous if left untreated can cause mutilating damage to face, nose, eyes with disfigurement and loss of vision and also cause invasive brain infection. This also finally leads to death in many patients.
