About mucormycosis

• Mucormycosis is a fungal infection that has a high mortality rate of 50 per cent.
• An increasing number of Covid-19 patients have been developing this infection while still at the hospital or after discharge.
• The disease often manifests in the skin and also affects the lungs and the brain.
• Some of the common symptoms include sinusitis, blackish nasal discharge, facial pain, headaches, and pain around the eyes.

Who is at risk

• Patients who have been hospitalised for Covid-19 and particularly those who require oxygen therapy during Covid-19 illness are at a much higher risk of mucormycosis.
• However, there are some cases of mucormycosis in patients with asymptomatic Covid-19 infection.
• Before the pandemic, patients with uncontrolled diabetes were at a higher risk of mucormycosis.
• The risk of mucormycosis rises for these patients for two reasons.
• First is that Covid-19 further impairs their immune system.
• Second, they are given corticosteroids for their treatment it leads to a rise in their blood sugar level thus increasing their risk of mucormycosis.

Treatment

• Today, we have a number of drugs and anti-fungal medicines that can treat mucormycosis.
• These are given by IV or taken orally.
• Surgery is needed to remove the affected dead tissues along with antifungal therapy.

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