Even as Black and White Haunt India, Yellow Fungus Surfaces in Ghaziabad! Here’s All You Need to Know
Representative Image
(IANS)
As India continues to grapple with the second wave of COVID-19, the added threats of fungal infections have been lurking over many parts of the country. Many states have already witnessed a sharp rise in the number of Mucormycosis—commonly called black fungus—cases over the past few weeks. Besides black fungus, a few cases of another fungal infection, informally known as white fungus, also emerged from Patna (Bihar) and Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) last week.
Amid this worrisome trend, reports hint at a suspected case of yellow fungus from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh. The suspected patient is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Ghaziabad. Yellow fungus is said to be more lethal than both black or white fungus.
It must be noted that the reports are yet to be verified by an authorised source and the case is not confirmed yet. While experts investigate this new type of fungal infection among COVID-19 patients, here’s a quick preview of what we know so far:
What is yellow fungus?
The yellow fungus is a deadly disease as its formation starts internally and starts disrupting vital bodily processes. However, it's not a common form of infection and is not contagious. Similar to most fungal infections, the disease affects people with low immunity if they inhale moulds from the surrounding environment.
ENT Specialist B.P. Tyagi was reportedly the first to claim that a patient was infected with Yellow Fungus in his hospital, who is undergoing COVID-19 treatment. The 45-year-old patient, a resident of Sanjay Nagar in Harsh Hospital, Ghaziabad, is suffering from yellow fungus, in addition to black and white fungus.
Professor Tyagi said, "this fungus is usually found in reptiles. I saw this disease for the first time. Amphotericin B injection is used to treat this disease. It takes a long time to heal. This patient's condition cannot be said to be very good, he is still undergoing treatment."
The individuals who suffer from yellow fungus reportedly complain of symptoms like lethargy, loss of appetite and weight loss. In some severe cases, the fungus infection may also lead to the formation of pus and necrosis along with slow healing of wounds. Other serious symptoms include malnutrition, organ failure, and sunken eyes.
Immediate consultation with the doctor is advisable in case a person witnesses any of these aforementioned symptoms.
What causes the disease?
Most of the fungal infections, including yellow, black and white, start with unsanitary conditions. Besides, a range of factors from high humidity to old foods can also cause yellow fungus disease. Therefore, it is advisable to keep the surroundings clean and even the enclosure of your homes.
Moreover, it is advisable to manage the humidity around COVID-19 patients, especially those with diabetes and under steroid treatment, at around 30% to 40%. High moisture spaces can significantly promote the growth of bacteria or fungus. Moreover, overuse of steroids, antibacterial medications or poor quality oxygen concentrators may also increase the risk of contracting this disease.
"Fungal infection observed in Covid-19 patients is mostly mucormycosis. While the number of cases is increasing, it is not contagious or infectious like Covid," says Dr Randeep Guleria, Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi.
What’s the treatment?
The currently available treatment is Amphotericin B injection, which is mainly an antifungal drug. The disease is said to be treatable if notified at an earlier stage.
(With inputs from IANS)
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The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
Representative Image
(IANS)
As India continues to grapple with the second wave of COVID-19, the added threats of fungal infections have been lurking over many parts of the country. Many states have already witnessed a sharp rise in the number of Mucormycosis—commonly called black fungus—cases over the past few weeks. Besides black fungus, a few cases of another fungal infection, informally known as white fungus, also emerged from Patna (Bihar) and Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) last week.
Amid this worrisome trend, reports hint at a suspected case of yellow fungus from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh. The suspected patient is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Ghaziabad. Yellow fungus is said to be more lethal than both black or white fungus.
It must be noted that the reports are yet to be verified by an authorised source and the case is not confirmed yet. While experts investigate this new type of fungal infection among COVID-19 patients, here’s a quick preview of what we know so far:
What is yellow fungus?
The yellow fungus is a deadly disease as its formation starts internally and starts disrupting vital bodily processes. However, it's not a common form of infection and is not contagious. Similar to most fungal infections, the disease affects people with low immunity if they inhale moulds from the surrounding environment.
ENT Specialist B.P. Tyagi was reportedly the first to claim that a patient was infected with Yellow Fungus in his hospital, who is undergoing COVID-19 treatment. The 45-year-old patient, a resident of Sanjay Nagar in Harsh Hospital, Ghaziabad, is suffering from yellow fungus, in addition to black and white fungus.
Professor Tyagi said, "this fungus is usually found in reptiles. I saw this disease for the first time. Amphotericin B injection is used to treat this disease. It takes a long time to heal. This patient's condition cannot be said to be very good, he is still undergoing treatment."
The individuals who suffer from yellow fungus reportedly complain of symptoms like lethargy, loss of appetite and weight loss. In some severe cases, the fungus infection may also lead to the formation of pus and necrosis along with slow healing of wounds. Other serious symptoms include malnutrition, organ failure, and sunken eyes.
Immediate consultation with the doctor is advisable in case a person witnesses any of these aforementioned symptoms.
What causes the disease?
Most of the fungal infections, including yellow, black and white, start with unsanitary conditions. Besides, a range of factors from high humidity to old foods can also cause yellow fungus disease. Therefore, it is advisable to keep the surroundings clean and even the enclosure of your homes.
Moreover, it is advisable to manage the humidity around COVID-19 patients, especially those with diabetes and under steroid treatment, at around 30% to 40%. High moisture spaces can significantly promote the growth of bacteria or fungus. Moreover, overuse of steroids, antibacterial medications or poor quality oxygen concentrators may also increase the risk of contracting this disease.
"Fungal infection observed in Covid-19 patients is mostly mucormycosis. While the number of cases is increasing, it is not contagious or infectious like Covid," says Dr Randeep Guleria, Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi.
What’s the treatment?
The currently available treatment is Amphotericin B injection, which is mainly an antifungal drug. The disease is said to be treatable if notified at an earlier stage.
(With inputs from IANS)
**
For weather, science, and COVID-19 updates on the go, download The Weather Channel App (on Android and iOS store). It's free!
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
