As the cases of COVID-19 are surging across the country, so are cases of Black Fungus infection in several states of India, including Bihar. But, now four cases of White Fungus infection have been reported from Patna, Bihar. One of the infected patients is Patna doctor.
According to health experts, white fungus infection is more dangerous than black fungus infection because it affects lungs as well as other parts of the body incuding nails, skin, stomach, kidney, brain, private parts and mouth.
Why children are at greater risk?
The white fungus is considered dangerous as it infects children and women and according to doctors it is the main reason for Leucorrhoea.
The disease occurs in the newborn in the form of diaper candidiasis in which cream-coloured spots appear and in young children it causes oral thrust.
According to the doctors, COVID-19 positive patients who are on oxygen support are also more likely to get gripped by the white fungus which can infect their lungs. Cancer patients also need to be careful of the fungus.
Doctors have said that white fungus also infects the lungs and an infection similar to COVID-19 is detected when HRCT is performed on the infected patient.
According to Chief of Microbiology at Patna Medical College Patna (PMCH), Dr SN Singh, all four persons infected by white fungus showed coronavirus-type symptoms but they were not COVID-19 positive. Singh added that but their lungs were found infected and after tests when they were given anti-fungal medicines then they recovered.
Dr Singh noted that just like black fungus, the white fungus is also more dangerous for those who have weak immunity. Diabetes patients and those who are taking steroids for a long period of time are more at risk of getting infected with white fungus.
Dr Singh said that it is easy to prevent white fungus infection by sanitising the oxygen or ventilator properly.
