Mucormycosis Fungal Infection – UPSC Prelims

  • Black Fungus or Mucormycosis: It is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes which exist in the environment.
  • Symptoms: The symptoms are face numbness, one-side nose obstructions or swelling of eyes or pain.
  • Vulnerable Group: Mucormycosis mainly affects people who have health problems or take medicines that lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness.
  • Transmission: It is acquired when spores produced by the mold are inhaled or much less commonly when they enter the body through a cut or other break in the skin. It does not spread between people or between people and animals.
  • Diagnosis: Healthcare providers consider medical history, symptoms, physical examinations, and laboratory tests when diagnosing mucormycosis.
  • Treatment: It needs to be treated with prescription antifungal medicine. Often, mucormycosis also requires surgery to cut away the infected tissue.
  • Why in News? It has been declared epidemic and notified disease by many states.
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