What is White Fungus And Who Are At Risk? How it is Deadlier Than Black Fungus? All You Need to Know
New Delhi: At a time when Black Fungus continues to claim the lives of people across cities, cases of White Fungus were reported in parts of the country on Thursday. Several confirmed cases have been reported across states, which many believe to be the newest epidemic on the rise. Off late, 4 cases of white fungus have been detected in Bihar, which is battling a devastating COVID-19 surge right now. This White Fungus is believed to be deadlier than the Black Fungus. In the recent past, the country has reported a spike in Black Fungus cases. A number of states such as Rajasthan, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana and Assam on Thursday declared Black Fungus as notifiable disease. Also Read - All About MIS-C, The New Disease Found in Children After COVID-19
What is While Fungus and What are its symptoms? As per latest updates from doctors, the symptoms of this rare fungal disease are similar to that of coronavirus infection. As this fungus attacks the lungs, the disease can be detected by performing HRCT test on an infected patient. However, there little evidence available as to what exactly makes this new infection more threatening. However, doctors say unlike the black fungus, the white fungus infection spreads more easily to the vital organs, including the lungs, kidneys, intestines, stomach, private parts and even the nails and causes widespread infection. Also Read - 2-DG Anti-COVID Drug: DRDO Explains Who Can be Given This New Medicine
White Fungus cases detected in Patna on Thursday.
How white fungus cases were detected? According to a report in Zee News, Dr SN Singh, head of the Microbiology, Department of PMCH confirmed white fungus cases, and said that all four patients showed all the symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, but tested negative in every test. Moreover, the doctor also stated that during a detailed investigation, it turned out that they were infected with white fungus. Also Read - New Coronavirus Symptom in Patients After Vaccination - All You Need to Know
Is White Fungus deadlier than black fungus? Health experts believe that the White Fungus infection is more dangerous than black fungus as it not only affects the lungs but other parts of the body such as nails, skin, stomach, kidney, brain, private parts, and mouth.
Who is at risk of White Fungus? Health experts suggest that people with low immunity are at a greater risk. People with pre-existing medical issues like diabetes or those on steroids for a long time are also likely to get infected with White Fungus.
After Black Fungus, Now Watch Out For White Fungus; Experts Explain Symptoms
This article is a part of a series by The Better India to share verified information about COVID-19 care. While several posts on various aspects of fighting COVID-19 are being circulated on social media and messaging services like WhatsApp, we urge you not to trust unverified content. To separate fact from fiction, we will be sharing the videos and content with doctors and experts and bring you their responses with scientific research-backed information.
As India sees a spike in Black Fungus or Mucormycosis cases, the medical fraternity has yet another problem to tackle. This time it is being referred to as ‘White Fungus’. White Fungus affects many parts of the body, including lungs, nails, skin, stomach, kidney, brain, mouth and vagina. This type of fungus usually lives on the skin, inside the body and in the environment, without causing any problems.
Dr Bahot and Dr Maurya
1. What is White Fungus? What are the symptoms to watch out for?
Dr Bahot: White Fungus or Candidiasis is an infection caused by a yeast called Candida. This infection looks like white coloured patches, hence the name. This infection can affect the oesophagus and cause difficulty in swallowing food. White patches are commonly seen around the oral cavity, like the tongue, palate and the oesophagus.
These white patches are visible on physical examination.
Dr Maurya: It is yet another form of fungal infection and is caused due to a compromised or low immune system. Diabetic and cancer patients are at a higher risk of contracting this infection. The infection has been seen in skin, nails, lungs, kidney and even the brain.
We are seeing this develop in patients who have been on steroids as a part of their recovery plan for COVID-19. This is a developing fungus and we are still trying to understand what course of treatment would work best for it. While an anti-fungal will be required, it still requires some research. The mortality rate of White Fungus is currently unknown.
2. Who is at risk of contracting White Fungus?
Dr Maurya: Immunocompromised patients, patients who have been on steroid medication for long, diabetics, cancer patients, patients who have undergone organ transplants and those on immunosuppressant drugs are at risk of contracting White Fungus.
Dr Bahot: Additionally, patients who are prone to asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD), who use steroid-based inhalers and do not gargle post the usage, are also at risk of developing White Fungus.
3. Does White Fungus spread very rapidly?
Dr Bahot: Yes, the White Fungus is of two types – superficial and deep. The superficial one does not spread rapidly, however, the deep fungal infection, which we are currently seeing, spreads very rapidly. Candidiasis is seen in patients who are immunocompromised.
4. How can we prevent White Fungus?
Dr Maurya: The steps to keep White Fungus at bay are similar to what we ask patients to follow for all other infections. Keep your sugar levels under control, do not overuse steroids, ensure that you are taking steroids only under the supervision of a medical practitioner. Follow good hygiene, especially oral hygiene. Always wear a mask given that the White Fungus can spread via spores that can be inhaled.
Dr Bahot: The difference that strikes you immediately is the colour. As the name suggests, Black Fungus is black and White Fungus is white in colour. In terms of their occurrence in the body, Black Fungus takes more immunosuppressants to appear while the White Fungus takes fewer immunosuppressants to show up in the body.
However, during these COVID-19 times, both are rampantly seen given that severe immunosuppressants are being administered to COVID-19 patients. The original source of this White Fungi is Candida, which is in the air, soil and everywhere.
6. Symptoms of White Fungus and Black Fungus are as follows (with inputs from doctors):
White Fungus:
Black Fungus:
(Edited by Yoshita Rao)
Black Fungus vs White Fungus: What we know so far, symptoms and treatment
Amid the second wave of COVID-19 in India, a sudden rise in Black Fungus cases have been reported from several parts of the country. Meanwhile, a couple of days ago, cases of White Fungus were reported from Patna, Bihar, which was considered more dangerous than Black Fungus.
Dr Honey Savla, Internal Medicine, Wockhardt Hospital explains what Black and White Fungus are, their symptoms and treatment below. Take a look.
What is Black Fungus?
Black fungus is called Mucormycosis. It’s a rare fungal infection caused due to exposure to mucor mould which is present in the environment. One may also catch it when the fungus "enters the skin through a cut, burn, or other types of skin trauma."
Symptoms of Black Fungus
- Watery eyes
- Pain in the eyes
- Severe headache
- Discoloration or blackening of tissue on nose and cheeks
- Congestion in the nose
- Loss or blurred vision
- Toothache
- Swelling in eyes or cheeks
- Bleeding from the nose
How is Black Fungus treated?
After infecting a person, the Black Fungus doesn't remain static, it spreads through the nose, attacks the eyes and then reaches the brain. If the infection reaches the brain, it becomes difficult to treat the patient and the chances of survival are quite less. All the tissues infected must be surgically removed. Some patients end up losing the eye/s and, in some cases, the upper jaw. The wise use of steroids in consultation with a doctor and controlling sugar level is a must. Patients might need an intravenous anti-fungal procedure spanning four to six weeks.
Meanwhile, the Centre has requested states to make it a notifiable disease. It is also taking steps to address the shortage of Amphotericin B, the drug required to treat the disease. As many as 20 vials of this injection are required to treat each infected person with each vial costing between Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000.
What is White Fungus?
White Fungus is a fungal infection where there is formation of whitish membranes or discharge caused by candida group of organisms. White fungus is a fungal infection called candidiasis. It can be caused by the unsterile use of oxygen cylinders or the overuse of steroids. It attacks body parts such as lungs, skin, nail, brain, kidney, mouth etc. Besides adults, young children are prone to White Fungus infection too. This fungus turns to be more dangerous if it is systemic. If it affects the lungs or blood then the chances of survival are less compared to if it affects other parts of the body.
Symptoms of White Fungus
- Whitish patches in the oral cavity
- White discharge
- Skin lesions
- Symptoms of pneumonia of cough, chest pain and low oxygen level.
How is White Fungus treated?
Anti-fungal drugs can be used to treat patients infected with White Fungus. Candidiasis can be treated with fluconazole or itraconazole orally. Topical applications will be required for infections in the oral cavity or genitourinary regions. Serious infections in critically ill patients are treated with caspofungin or micafungin. Additionally, White Fungus can be prevented by proper sanitisation of ventilators/oxygen cylinders and also, by taking accurate care of the medical types of equipment that are used on the patients.
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