As per the latest updates, the symptoms of this rare fungal disease are similar to that of coronavirus infection. As this fungus attacks the lungs, the disease can be detected by performing an HRCT test on an infected patient. However, there is little evidence available as to what exactly makes this new infection more threatening. However, doctors say, unlike the black fungus, the white fungus infection spreads more easily to the vital organs, including the lungs, kidneys, intestines, stomach, private parts, and even the nails, and causes widespread infection.
Amidst a rise in coronavirus cases in India, there have been several cases linked to the black fungus infection, or mucomycortisis, which is known to have an extremely high fatality rate. Several confirmed cases have been reported across states, which many believe to be the newest endemic on the rise.
News so far...
4 cases pertaining to the white fungal infection have been observed in Bihar, which is battling a devastating COVID-19 surge right now. Amongst one of the casualties is a doctor working on the frontlines.
While there's no proof to suggest that the white fungus infection is spreading to other states, medical experts believe that much like the virulent virus, the white fungus can be more dangerous than the black fungus.
Here's why... There's little evidence available as to what exactly makes this new infection more threatening. However, doctors have issued a warning saying that, unlike the black fungus, the white fungus infection spreads more easily to the vital organs, including the lungs, kidneys, intestines, stomach, private parts, and even the nails, and causes widespread infection.
The black fungus infection is known to have a high mortality rate. Whether or not the white fungus is just as fatal is unknown.
Risk? Symptoms?
It's important to be aware of symptoms and any danger signs from the very beginning. From what is known, white fungus infection could affect the vital functioning of the body, in comparison to the black fungus, which affects just the sinus and lungs.
Dr. Singh said that white fungal infection attacks people with weak immunity like black fungus. Diabetes patients or those taking steroids for a long time are most likely to get infected with White Fungus.
As with the black fungus infection, the risk of catching the disease is highest for those with frail immunity, suffering from pre-existing medical issues, including diabetes, and/or using steroids. Those put on high oxygen support are also at risk.
Symptoms Include:
Small, painless bump on the skin that can develop any time from 1 to 12 weeks after exposure to the fungus which eventually grows bigger
For lung infection, symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fever
If the infection is disseminated, it depends on the affected body part. Infections in joints can cause joint pain that may be confused with rheumatoid arthritis. Infections of the central nervous system can involve difficulty thinking, headache, and seizures.
Prevention, Diagnosis of White Fungus
For protection against any pathogen including White Fungus, CDC has recommended “wearing protective clothing such as gloves and long sleeves when touching plant matter that can cause minor cuts or scrapes.”
The disease can be diagnosed by either taking a small tissue sample or biopsy of the infected area of the body and blood tests also sometimes help in discovering the infection.
Treatment of White Fungus disease is mainly done through anti-fungal medicines and is not life-threatening. However, this changes if person contracts severe disease and lungs are infected.
So what are your thoughts on the White Fungus Infections? Do let us know in the comments below!
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