White Fungus more common, but not as dangerous as Black Fungus

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Even as Mucormycosis or Black Fungus was declared an epidemic by many states including Rajasthan, Telangana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, cases of a White Fungus were reported from Bihar, with some media reports insisting that it is “more dangerous” than Black Fungus.

But it turns out that White Fungus is nothing but Candidiasis, the most common fungal infection. People affected by it often develop white splotches. It can not only affect lungs, but also mouth, nose, nails, skin and private parts. The reason it is being seen in Covid-19 patients is because of poor sanitation and low immunity.

Infectious disease specialist Dr Ishwar Gilada, told India Today, “White fungus is just a myth and misconception. It is basically candidiasis, a fungal infection caused by a type of fungus called Candida. It is the most common fungal infection.” He added, “This infection generally affects areas or parts of the body that have a thin lining, mucocutaneous junctions like lips, nose, or inside the mouth and genital area.”

Common symptoms of Candidiasis being seen in Covid patients include headaches, swelling, mouth ulcers, impaired or deteriorating vision and pain in one side of the face. But it can be cured easily and is not as dangerous as the Black Fungus that is extremely invasive and affects eyes, sinus and even the brain. Mucormycosis has caused deaths and forced many people to undergo eye removals!

Dr Kapil Salgia, a pulmonologist who has been treating Mucormycosis told India Today, “Mucormycosis is more dangerous because it is normally not found in the human system, and we normally do not see many cases.”

Many people recovering from Covid-19 have developed the Black Fungus disease as steroids administered as treatment for Covid-19 affect the body’s immune system. Covid patients with diabetes are found to be the most vulnerable. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), some of the most common symptoms of Mucormycosis are pain and redness around eyes or nose, fever, headache, coughing, bloody vomits and altered mental status.

Cases of Mucormycosis are being reported from across India, mainly Maharashtra where it has claimed at least 90 lives, apart from states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi and Karnataka. At present the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers is making efforts to step up production of Amphotericin B, the drug required to treat Mucormycosis.