Mucormycosis FAQs

The truth is that we don’t know everything about it yet, but let’s start by calling it what it is – “Mucormycosis”. It's an aggressive and invasive fungal infection caused by a group of fungi called “mucormycetes”.

Dr. Ayush Pandey MBBS, PG Diploma

“Mucormycetes” are ubiquitous – you can find them in soil, fallen leaves, compost, and air.

Most commonly, these are inhaled through the nose. Therefore, wearing a mask probably helps prevent it.

Dr. B. K. Agrawal MBBS, MD

No – you can’t get infected even if you’re in close contact with someone who has the disease.

Dr. Braj Bhushan Ojha BAMS

By far, the most important reason is reduced immunity – and there are several reasons for this – diabetes, being on steroids, taking immunosuppressant drugs, chemotherapy, and so on.

It’s actually a combination of reasons – the incidence of diabetes in India is quite high. Combine that with the widespread use of steroids in COVID-19 patients and poor glucose control, and you have an outbreak.

There are also reports about possible industrial grade oxygen, tap water in humidifiers, reused masks, antibiotic overuse, all being possible reasons. But again, the truth is that we just don’t know yet.

Dr. Rahul Poddar MBBS, DNB, MBBS, DNB

First, if you have diabetes, make sure your blood sugar levels are controlled. Uncontrolled diabetes is one of the strongest risk factors for being infected with black fungus.

Second, please don’t use steroids unless prescribed by your doctor. Indiscriminate steroid use harms in two ways – first, it reduces your immunity; and second, it raises your blood sugar levels.

(Read more: Hyperglycemia)

Dr. Manju Shekhawat MBBS

No, that’s not correct - but you need to be careful about not using them when they are not required – which means that if your oxygen saturation levels are normal, steroids probably do more harm than good.

(Read more: Pulse oximeter)

Dr. Joydeep Sarkar MBBS

The risk-benefit ratio is still in favour of giving steroids, but utmost care is needed to ensure that your blood sugars are controlled. And do not prolong the use of steroids.

(Read more: Diabetes Diet)

Usually, the symptoms include swelling of one side of your face, a feeling of stuffy nose, headache, red eyes, blackening of the bridge of your nose or your palate, discharge from the nose, and fever.

Dr. Haleema Yezdani MBBS

First, please do not try to manage this at home, or self-medicate. Black Fungus requires urgent hospitalization and treatment – please get admitted to a hospital as quickly as possible. Mucormycosis can be treated and cured if detected early and treatment instituted. Some patients may require surgery.