As the country deals with the second wave of Coronavirus, We have witnessed rising cases of black fungus, white fungus, and yellow fungus. Medical experts have been on their toes to help people and expose them to correct information. Now, the first-ever 'green fungus' case has been detected in the country. A 34-year-old Covid-19 survivor was diagnosed with green fungus infection in Madhya Pradesh's Indore and shifted to Mumbai by air ambulance for treatment. Many states have already announced Black Fungus as an epidemic. Now with green fungus cases, the risk of these rare fungal infections has increased all the more. People are confused about what is green Fungus and how it is different from black and white fungus. Know all the answers about the same here, along with early symptoms and prevention.
What is Green Fungus?
Green fungus, also known as 'Aspergillosis,' includes high fever and nose bleeding. Aspergillosis is an infection caused by Aspergillus, a common mold that lives indoors and outdoors. However, people with low or weak immune systems or lung diseases are at a higher risk of developing health problems due to Aspergillus.
This is the first case of green fungus in India, and it was found out after a patient was airlifted from Indore to Mumbai. According to Dr. Ravi Dosi, head of the Department of Chest Diseases, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences (SAIMS), the patient underwent a test on suspicion that he had contracted mucormycosis or black fungus, following which it was examined that he has green fungus.
Symptoms of Green Fungus
-Nose Bleeding
-High Fever
-Weakness or Fatigue
-Weightloss
According to Dr. Dosi, all the above symptoms were found in the airlifted patient from Indore to Mumbai. "The patient recovered. But then he started having nose bleeds and a high fever. He had also become fragile due to weight loss," the doctor said
Green Fungus Prevention
-These kinds of rare fungal infections can only be prevented by maintaining good hygiene, oral and physical cleanliness.
-One should try to avoid areas with a lot of dust and stored contaminated water. If you can’t avoid these areas, wear an N95 respirator for prevention.
-Avoid activities that involve close contact with soil or dust.
-Try to keep washing your face and hands well with soap and water, especially if they have been exposed to soil or dust.
(More research is needed on whether the nature of green fungus infection in people who have recovered from COVID-19 is different from other patients.)
What causes green fungus?
Aspergillosis can happen from simply breathing microscopic spores of the aspergillus fungus. While in normal circumstances, the body's immune system suppresses the growth of any spores within the body, in certain cases, the body cannot suppress the growth of the spores. Those with compromised immune systems and those recovering or suffering from lung diseases are at a higher risk of developing aspergillosis.
The cause of the rising number of fungal infections in COVID-19 patients has been attributed to various factors, including lung damage, overuse of steroids, weakened immune system, and lowered infection control in overworked hospitals.
Fungal diseases are not communicable — they cannot spread from one human to another or between people and animals.
You must be logged in to post a comment.