Yellow Fungus Disease : Yellow fungus is said to be more deadly than black fungus and white fungus infections. Close to 9,000 black fungus cases have been reported from various states across the country while a few white fungus cases have been reported from Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
A case of yellow fungus infection has been reported from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh amid the rising black fungus cases among COVID-19 patients in several states.
Yellow Fungus Disease : Live Updates
Mucormycosis is a fungal infection caused by a group of moulds called “mucormycetes” that are present in the air. Once inhaled, the infection can affect the sinus cavities, lungs, and chest cavities of a patient.
India’s health ministry has said that people who have diabetes or a weak immune system, including after steroids treatment for Covid-19, are at a higher risk of catching mucormycosis.
• Symptoms of yellow fungus infection include lethargy, weight loss, low appetite, or no appetite at all
• If detected early, yellow fungus cases can be cured with Amphotericin B injections
• High humidity, bad hygiene and stale food lead to proliferation of this fungus
Symptoms
The symptoms of white fungus infection include lethargy, weight loss, low appetite, or no appetite at all. Leakage of pus from wounds and slow healing of open wounds are also noticed in some cases. In extreme cases, it results in sunken eyes and organ failure, according to experts, the DNA report mentioned.
Doctors have advised to seek immediate medical help if any such symptom is noticed.
Precautions
Yellow fungus can arise due to poor hygiene, high humidity and consumption of old food. Discarding old food, proper disposal of faeces, among others, can prevent the fungus from spreading. In case there is high humidity in a closed space, be it a house or an office, it should not be allowed to breach 30-40 percent. High moisture in the air allows proliferation of fungus. Proper ventilation is a must in this case.
Treatment
If detected early, yellow fungus infection can be cured by injecting Amphotericin B injection, which is an anti-fungal drug.
Meanwhile, the Centre in a bid to prevent the spread of black fungus, had instructed the states to declare black fungus as an epidemic, with many declaring the same. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra are among the states which are highly affected by the black fungus infections.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT OF YELLOW FUNGUS?
Amphotericin B injection, a broad spectrum antifungal medicine, is said to be only available treatment for yellow fungus. The first yellow fungus has been reported from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. The patient affected by the yellow fungus is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. According to sources, the fungus leads to serious malnutrition, organ failure and sunken eyes which start internally. Ghaziabad's ENT specialist Dr BP Tyagi said that while the white fungus targets the lungs and black fungus targets the brain, yellow fungus affects both the organs. Tyagi also said that no such fungus has been found in any human being before, although it has been seen in some types of animals.
Related news
Nearly 9,000 black fungus cases reported in India
The news of a new fungal spread comes at a time when India has asked states to declare black fungus (mucormycosis) an epidemic.Nearly 9,000 cases have been reported in several states across the country.Four cases of white fungus (candidiasis) were also reported in Patna, Bihar.Experts say a weaker immunity, poor hygiene, or irrational use of steroids may be causing these infections.
Naming fungus on colors creates confusion: AIIMS Director
Meanwhile, speaking at a COVID-19 briefing on Monday, the Director of the All India Institute Of Medical Science in Delhi, Dr. Randeep Guleria, said, "Naming the same fungus based on its colors, depending on the area of infection, creates confusion."
