Treatment protocol for black fungus

Tribune News Service
Shimla, May 24

The State Covid Clinical Committee has released a detailed treatment protocol for mucormycosis. A spokesperson for the Health Department said that the medical management of mucormycosis is known and the disease is completely curable, if detected early. “This disease can be treated by injectable antifungal amphotericin B and other medicines,” he said.

Steroid use

Black fungus cases are rising because Covid-19 worsens diabetes, precipitates new diabetes in patients and sometimes develops deficiency of White Blood Cells. Also, immunosuppressive treatments such as steroids being used in Covid patients result in a fall in immunity. — Health Department spokesman

“This therapy continues until there is a clinical resolution of signs and symptoms of the infection as well as radiographic resolution of signs of active disease. The treatment also includes surgical debridement of the involved tissue,” he added.

He said a regular follow-up should be ensured in the initial three months after treatment. “This disease is preventable and controlling hyperglycaemia, monitoring blood glucose level in post-Covid phase, using steroid judiciously, using mask, wearing shoes, long trousers, long sleeves, gloves while handling soil, moss or manure can ensure prevention of this disease,” he said.

He also urged patients, who are on oxygen therapy or are using humidifiers, to use clean sterile and boiled tap water for humidifiers. “The mineral water should not be used and the water should be changed in the humidifier on daily basis,” he said.