First Case of “Yellow Fungus” detected in UP

What is the News?

A COVID-19 patient in Ghaziabad has been diagnosed with a Yellow Fungus infection.

About Yellow Fungus:

• Yellow Fungus, also goes by its second name, mucor septic. It is a fungal infection that medical experts say generally does not occur in humans but in reptiles.
• Causes:
  • Poor Hygiene
  • High levels of humidity beyond the 30-40% range
  • Old food and improper disposal also contribute to the growth of the fungus.
  • Excess use of steroids is also a possible reason in Covid-19 patients.
• Symptoms:
  • Symptoms of yellow fungus are laziness, loss of appetite, or no appetite at all and weight loss.
  • In serious cases, yellow fungus can also cause leakage of pus and slow healing of the open wound or necrosis in which cells in living tissue die prematurely.
• Treatment: Antifungal drug Amphotericin-B is being considered as a primary treatment of yellow fungus. The same injection is being used currently to treat black or white fungus cases in the country.

Why is Yellow Fungus more dangerous than black and White Fungus?

• Yellow fungus infections are not like black fungus infection and White Fungus infection. Instead, they are much more dangerous as it starts off internally. Thus, its diagnosis is very difficult.
• Therefore, it remains critical that patients seek help for their infection as soon as they start observing symptoms.

Source: TOI

“Black Fungus Infection” Cases in Covid Patients