Diabetes, chilly oxygen, unwashed masks: AIIMS physician lists causes for rise in black fungus instances | Newest Information India

A doctor has found that Covid-19 patients with uncontrolled diabetes who have been treated with steroids, tocilizumab, and ventilated are at high risk of contracting mucormycosis or black fungus infection. Dr. P. Sarat Chandra, chief neurosurgeon at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, said that within six weeks of being treated with Covid-19, patients are at the highest risk of contracting black fungus.

“One of the main reasons is uncontrolled diabetes, systemic use of steroids with tocilizumab, ventilated patients, and the use of supplemental oxygen. If people have any of these factors, they are at the highest risk of black fungus within six weeks of covid treatment . “said Dr. Chandra, who also teaches neurosurgery at AIIMS.

The doctor also said that giving cold oxygen is dangerous and the antifungal drug posaconazole must be given to patients who are considered to be particularly susceptible to the disease. Chandra’s cautionary words echo the concerns of many health professionals.

“It is very dangerous to give cold oxygen straight from the bottle. The antifungal agent posaconazole can be given to high-risk people to reduce the incidence of black fungus,” said Dr. Chandra.

He also cautioned against long-term use of face masks, recommending discarding N-95 masks after five uses and washing cloth masks daily. He also advised against storing masks in damp places, as prolonged use could cause fungus to get caught.

“Prolonged use of masks, advised against, as any cloth mask left in a humid place with extended use can catch fungus. Cloth masks should be washed every day and N95 masks should be thrown away preferably after five uses.” Keep a mask for each day of the week and rotate it again, ”he advised.

States such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Odisha, Telangana and Tamil Nadu have declared mucormycosis a “reportable” disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, according to a letter from the center.

On Friday, Dr. Randeep Guleria, Director of AIIMS Delhi, that the infection associated with Covid-19 has claimed more than 7,000 lives in the country.