Mucormycosis

Mucormycosis

Mucormycosis

Context

Diabetologist cautions against fungus

 

  • 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.

 

What happens when one contracts it?

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

Symptoms

  •  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

Download Yojna IAS Daily Current Affairs of 11th May 2021

No Comments

Post A Comment