Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Specialist Dr. Songül Özer shared extremely important information about the black fungus disease, which was wondered if it had a connection with Covid-19.
It is wondered whether the black fungus disease, which has an increasing incidence all over the world, especially in India, is related to Covid-19. Emphasizing that the disease is transmitted by digestion, contact and respiratory tract, experts state that it has not yet been determined that it is transmitted from person to person or from animal to animal. Experts point out that the weak immune system paves the way for black fungus disease and if not treated on time, it causes 25-50 percent death.
Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Specialist Dr. Songül Özer shared extremely important information about the black fungus disease, which was wondered if it had a connection with Covid-19.
Occurs in bad environmental conditions
Stating that black fungus disease, which is a newly emerged disease, which is quite curious to have a connection with Covid-19, is actually a disease that is generally seen around the world. Songül Özer said, “Recently, the incidence of the disease has started to increase, so it has attracted people's attention. Most of the diseases seen frequently in the world are of bacterial and viral origin. Diseases caused by parasites and fungi are less common in the world. Mucormycosis or black fungus in Turkish; It is found in the air, water, human and animal feces, rotten fruits and vegetables, that is, where there are bad environmental conditions.” said.
Pay attention to unhygienic environmental conditions
Emphasizing that black fungus disease can be transmitted to humans and animals in three ways, Özer said, “We consider the most common way of transmission as by consuming contaminated food and beverages, by digestion, by touching contaminated soil and water due to these fungi reproduced by sporulation, by direct contact with rotten food or animal body tissues. It is formed by the respiration of fungal spores in the air under good and unhygienic environmental conditions.” used the phrases.
It is transmitted by air, food or contact.
Dr. Songül Özer, 'Until now, it has not been observed that the disease has been transmitted from a sick person to another person or from a sick animal to another animal.' said and continued:
“So the individual gets this disease directly from the air, from food or through contact. Certainly, it is out of the question to cause an epidemic like Covid-19. Let's say we inhale this mushroom. Then the place to be naturally affected is the nose, the sinuses around the nose and the lung. When the disease comes into contact with these parts, symptoms such as nasal congestion, nosebleeds, fullness in the sinuses, sinusitis-like disorders, namely headache, runny nose or congestion can be seen. If it spreads to the lungs, it can cause symptoms of lower respiratory tract infection such as shortness of breath, cough, high fever. If the disease progresses, if the condition is not noticed or treated, it causes effects such as bloody cough, bloody sputum or spitting blood directly.”
It rarely affects the eyes and brain.
Stating that the infection in the lung can affect the eye, albeit rarely, with the spread of the infection or direct contact, Özer said, “A droopy eyelid can cause blurred or double vision in the eye. It can also spread to the brain, although rarely. In this case, it can cause epilepsy in the brain, epilepsy, headaches, and some foci of infection called 'cerebral abscess' in the brain tissue. These symptoms are rare and include the worst that the disease can bring. When it is transmitted by contact, sores and inflamed discharges may occur on the skin. It can be said that it is frequently seen in the mouth and on the skin above the nose. he said.
Deaths can occur at a rate of 25-50%.
Noting that 25 to 50 percent of deaths occur related to mucormycosis or black fungus disease in Turkish, Dr. Songül Özer said, “There is a possibility of death in people infected by this disease if the patient is not treated adequately and on time, and we can say that this rate is quite high and not to be underestimated. But it is possible to say that there is a cure. When disease-specific and systematic fungicides are used, this disease can be cured.” said.
Increasing in India and all over the world
Emphasizing that the disease is increasing all over the world, especially in India, Dr. Songül Özer continued her words as follows:
“This situation has caught the attention of many scientists. Publications began to be made on this subject and naturally the disease attracted the attention of the public. This fungus is 'zygomyces', an opportunistic fungus. We can say that it is a microorganism that spreads and spreads when the environmental conditions are suitable, and quickly invades the area. The use of a drug that suppresses the immune system for any reason is also an important factor. For example, if the person has had a bone marrow transplant or an organ transplant, the physician knowingly gives the patient a drug that will suppress their immunity, or the person is exposed to trauma and surgery due to long-term and severe surgeries. Apart from such tissue injuries, if the person has been exposed to the HIV virus, has uncontrollable blood sugar values or has diabetes, these diseases that cause a low immune system become a predisposing factor for black fungus disease.
Weak immune system invites black fungus
Reminding that Covid-19 disease causes pneumonia, Özer said, “It causes damage to the respiratory tract and lungs and causes tissue damage. Again, this situation paves the way for black fungus disease. In the treatment of Covid-19 disease, it is necessary to use the "immunosuppression" drug known as high-dose steroid or cortisone to cure the patient. However, while cortisone has good effects on the patient, it can also have bad effects. One of its side effects is that it suppresses the immune system temporarily. Due to the weakness of the body in the suppression of this immune system, the ground is prepared for the formation of opportunistic fungal infections. Black fungus is only one of the diseases in this group. According to studies, black fungus is not only seen in patients with Covid-19, but it plays an active role on immunity in Covid-19, like other immune-suppressing diseases.” used the phrases.
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