10 May 2021 Mucormycosis

Mucormycosis

Context

Diabetologist cautions against fungus

Details

• It is a serious infection. It is caused by a group of moulds known as mucormycetes present naturally in the environment.
• It mainly affects people who are on medication for health problems that reduces their ability to fight environmental pathogens.
• Sinuses or lungs of such individuals get affected after they inhale fungal spores from the air. Usually, mucormycetes does not pose a major threat to those with a healthy immune system.

On Contracting Mucoromycetes

• Warning signs include pain and redness around the eyes or nose, with fever, headache, coughing, shortness of breath, bloody vomits, and altered mental status.

According to the ad- visor, infection with mucoromycetes should be suspected when there is:

• Sinusitis — nasal blockade or congestion, nasal discharge (blackish/bloody);
• Local pain on the cheek bone, one-sided facial pain, numbness or swelling;
•  Blackish discoloration over bridge of nose/palate;
• Loosening of teeth, jaw involvement;
• Blurred or double vision with pain;
• Thrombosis, necrosis, skin lesion;
• Chest pain, pleural effusion, worsening of respiratory symptoms.

Prevention

• It is a rare disease, however, some groups of people are more vulnerable than others.
• What predisposes patients is uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression by steroids, prolonged ICU stay, and comorbidities — post transplant/malignancy, voriconazole therapy.
• It is advised to use masks if you are visiting dusty construction sites. Wear shoes, long trousers, long-sleeved shirts and gloves while handling soil (gardening), moss or manure. Maintain personal hygiene including a thorough scrub bath

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Yojna IAS Current Affairs Team