Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 17: The Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today said that a rare but deadly fungal infection called ‘mucormycosis’ is infecting Covid-19 patients.
Sounding alert, DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan said that if left untreated the disease can be fatal for COVID patients.
“Cases of mucormycosis, commonly known as black fungus are being reported in several states of the country among recovering and recovered Covid-19 patients,” he said.
Dr Nisar said that the chances of fungal infection increase in COVID patients who are diabetic and are taking steroids. “Diabetes lowers the body’s immune defences, Covid exacerbates it and then steroids act as a fuel to the fire,” he said.
He said to prevent this life-threatening disease in COVID patients, doctors should use steroids judiciously and ensure there is no misuse of steroids. “People who have diabetes should keep their sugar levels in control and, use sterile water for humidifiers during oxygen therapy,” he said.
Dr Nisar said that the symptoms include pain and swelling in the eye or face, headache, nasal discharge and black crusts in the nose while adding that there is an urgent need to make people aware of the disease.
“A high degree of suspicion should be there with the doctors who are treating Covid patients and any nasal, facial and eye complaints should not be ignored because early detection and timely intervention holds the key,” Dr Nisar said.
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