Indore Covid-19 survivor may be India's first case of Green Fungus infection - All you need to know

Indore Covid-19 survivor may be India's first case of Green Fungus infection - All you need to know

A 34-year-old Covid-19 survivor was diagnosed with green fungus infection in Madhya Pradesh's Indore and airlifted to Mumbai's Hinduja hospital on Monday. According to District's health data manager, this is probably the first case of such infection in the country.

FPJ Web DeskUpdated: Wednesday, June 16, 2021, 11:42 AM IST
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Aspergillosis or green fungus is an infection caused by Aspergillus, a common mold (a type of fungus) that lives indoors and outdoors | Pic for representation

A 34-year-old Covid-19 survivor was diagnosed with green fungus infection in Madhya Pradesh's Indore and airlifted to Mumbai's Hinduja hospital on Monday. According to District's health data manager, this is probably the first case of such infection in the country, said a PTI report.

Dr Ravi Dosi, head of the Department of Chest Diseases, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences (SAIMS) said that the man, who had recovered from Covid-19, underwent a test on the suspicion that he had contracted the dreaded black fungus infection (mucormycosis).

But he was instead found to have green fungus (Aspergillosis) infection in his sinuses, lungs and blood.

More research is needed on whether the nature of green fungus infection in people who have recovered from Covid-19 is different from other patients, Dr Dosi said.

Since this is probably the first case of 'green fungus,' doctors are conducting deep research to see if more recovered COVID-19 patients have also contracted the rare fungal disease.

What is Green Fungus?

Aspergillosis or green fungus is an infection caused by Aspergillus, a common mold (a type of fungus) that lives indoors and outdoors. Most people breathe in Aspergillus spores every day without getting sick. There are approximately 180 species of Aspergillus, but fewer than 40 of them are known to cause infections in humans. Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common cause of human Aspergillus infections.

However, people with weakened immune systems or lung diseases are at a higher risk of developing health problems due to Aspergillus. The types of health problems caused by Aspergillus include allergic reactions, lung infections, and infections in other organs.

Some symptoms of green fungus are as follows:

Wheezing

Shortness of breath

Fever (in rare cases)

If the infection is severe , the patient can also experience chest pain or cough up blood

Diagnosis

Healthcare providers consider your medical history, risk factors, symptoms, physical examinations, and lab tests when diagnosing aspergillosis. You may need imaging tests such as a chest x-ray or a CT scan. Healthcare providers may also perform a tissue biopsy. A blood test can help diagnose invasive aspergillosis early in people who have severely weakened immune systems like Covid patients.

Prevention

It’s difficult to avoid breathing in Aspergillus spores because the fungus is common in the environment. For people who have weakened immune systems, there may be some ways to lower the chances of developing a severe Aspergillus infection.

Try to avoid areas with a lot of dust like construction or excavation sites. If you can’t avoid these areas, wear an N95 respirator (a type of face mask) while you’re there.

Avoid activities that involve close contact to soil or dust, such as yard work or gardening.

To reduce the chances of developing a skin infection, clean skin injuries well with soap and water, especially if they have been exposed to soil or dust.

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