Mucormycosis or black fungus
With concern among the public about mucormycosis, clinicians have explained that this is not a new disease but has been around for decades.
There is no evidence of an increased incidence of the disease up to now, assures the College of ENT and Head and Neck Surgeons of Sri Lanka.
The ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeons in Sri Lanka have the necessary skill and experience to manage rhino-cerebral mucormycosis with surgery and anti-fungal therapy, the college says.
What is mucormycosis?
Mucormycosis is a life-threatening fungal infection occurring in humans, according to the college.
The Sunday Times understands that mucormycosis could be caused by exposure to mucor mould commonly found in soil, plants, manure and decaying fruits and vegetables.
Pointing out that the commonest sites of involvement with this infection are the nose and paranasal sinuses, the college explains that the danger of the disease is its invasive nature which could lead to life-threatening complications or severe morbidity ( disease) including blindness and other neurological complications.
The college gives the following as causing an increased risk for this infection:
Pre-existing diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hematological ( blood and bone marrow) malignancies and HIV.
Use of steroids – while steroids are proven to be effective in improving the cytokine storm in COVID- 19, especially pneumonia, it could lead to immuno-suppression and secondary infections such as mucormycosis. This is why steroids should be used under the guidance of doctors. Severity of the COVID-19 infection as it suppresses or alters the systemic immune response to secondary infections.
The college gives the early symptoms of sino-nasal mucormycosis as:
Headache with nasal obstruction – especially if it is not responding to simple analgesics
Nasal discharge which is brownish or bloodstained
Fever
Facial pain or facial numbness Swelling and/ or discolouration of the face
Swelling and/ or discolouration of the palate
Teeth becoming loosened