Multiple reports suggest that there have been cases of white fungus in coronavirus patients in India. Experts are worried because this is more dangerous than what’s causing the “black fungus,” or mucormycosis.
Wait, what’s going on with COVID-19 and black fungus?
India health officials have reported multiple cases where patients suffer a fungal infection that “can disfigure facial features and even kill,” according to Bloomberg.
The issue — a deadly black fungus — is called mucormycosis, which attacks your sinuses and lungs once inhaled, as I wrote for the Deseret News.
- Though the black fungus can be treated, it can “can lead to loss of vision, and in some cases, increase the risk of mortality” if it is left untreated, according to India Today.
- “The rare but deadly infection can kill and maim patients, with some COVID sufferers losing their upper jaws and eyes after contracting it,” Bloomberg reports.
Is there white fungus in India?
The Hindustan Times reports that there have been various media reports of “white fungus” hurting COVID-19 patients. Experts have suggested the white fungus isn’t exactly a good thing, either.
- “White fungus is being suggested to be more dangerous than black fungus by health experts as it can affect other parts of the body like skin, stomach, kidney, brain, private parts and mouth besides lungs,” according to The Hindustan Times.
However, there hasn’t been too much evidence of the white fungus spreading outside of Bihar.
- Interestingly, “the patients infected with white fungus showed COVID-like symptoms, however, were tested negative,” according to The Hindustan Times.
What should you do to avoid the white fungus?
According to The Times of India, people should keep following guidelines.
And “proper emphasis should be laid on sanitization and cleaning of supplies, environment, since molds can be directly inhaled by a suspected patient,” according to The Times of India