In a development regarding Green Fungus scare, a 34-year-old man from Indore was airlifted to Mumbai for treatment after being diagnosed by the rare fungal infection. This is possibly the 1st such case in India. So far, India has reported cases of black, yellow & white fungus. As the wave of COVID-19 pandemic recedes, the country is reporting new cases of fungal infections every day.
Details
On Tuesday, possibly the first every case of green fungus in India was reported. The case is of a 34-year-old man who survived COVID-19 recently. After being diagnosed with green fungus, the man was rushed to the airport, to then be airlifted by an air ambulance to Mumbai.
Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences’ (SAIMS), Dr. Ravi Dosi, who serves as an HoD of Department of Chest Diseases told the Press Trust of India that the 34-year-old man recovered from COVID-19. The man, then underwent certain tests, with the suspicion that he may have contracted the dreaded and deadly black or white fungus infection.
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However, on further investigation, it was identified that the man had contracted a completely new fungal infection called Aspergillosis or green fungus. The infection has spread to the sinuses lungs & blood.
According to SAIMS’ Dr. Dosi, there is requirement for more research as to identify what the nature of the green fungus is and if it is any different from other fungal infections in people who have recovered from COVID-19. Dr. Dosi said that the patient was flown by an air ambulance to a Mumbai based hospital for further treatment.
Also Read: ICMR: Over 56% of COVID-19 Patients with Secondary Infection like Black Fungus Die
“The patient underwent Covid treatment for around two months. He went home and around 10-15 days started experiencing nosebleeds and fever. He came in for tests and we found that he is infected with ‘Green Fungus’,”
-NDTV quoted Dr Dosi saying.
Also Read: After Black, White Fungus, Concerns among COVID-19 Patients due to Intestinal Gangrene reports
According to Dr. Dosi, the patient was treated in the ICU after almost 100% of his lungs were affected by the COVID-19 virus.
District Data Manager Confirms Green Fungus Case
Meanwhile, confirming that the patient is indeed diagnosed with green fungus infection, Apoorva Tiwari, the District Data Manager of the Health Department of Indore, said-
“The 34-year-old man, COVID patient, was being treated in Indore’s Aurobindo hospital for the last one and a half month. He had 90 per cent lung infection. During diagnosis, green fungus was detected in his lungs which is different from Mucormycosis or Black Fungus. This possibly is the first green fungus case in the country.”
White Fungus, Black Fungus, Yellow Fungus: What do we know so far?
Black Fungus
Also Read: Black Fungus Declared Epidemic in 4 States; Centre issues guidelines on early detection & prevention
Black Fungus was the first fungal infection detected in India. The infection attacks a patient’s face, nose, eyes & brain. According to AIIMS director Dr. Randeep Guleria, Black Fungus emerges where there is an overuse of COVID-19 related steroids. People who are diabetic, or who have been long admitted in ICUs are more prone to being affected by black fungus.
Its symptoms include toothache, discoloration around nose, blurred vision, etc.
White Fungus
Also Read: After Black Fungus, White Fungus cases reported; Experts claim White Fungus more dangerous
Also cited as more dangerous and infectious than black fungus, white fungus affects digestive tracts, respiratory system and even the brain. The fungus attacks those people whose immunity is low. It emerges from unsanitary and wet places. Similar to black fungus patients, patients who are diabetic, suffering from cancer or have been taking steroids for long are more vulnerable to white fungus.
Its symptom includes chest pain, shallow breathing or breathlessness, swelling in certain parts, etc.
Yellow Fungus
Also Read: Yellow Fungus in India: After black and white fungus, this dangerous fungus found in UP
Although it was known to affect reptiles, it’s the first time in the history of humanity that people are contracting yellow fungus Not much is known about the infection and researches are underway about its threats and symptoms.
Its symptoms include slow wound healing, pus discharge, sunken eyes, loss of weight, lethargy, etc.
