A COVID recovered patient in Madhya Pradesh has been diagnosed with aspergillosis, or 'green fungus'.
The 34 man from indore had suffered from COVID for 2 months before recovering. On experiencing nosebleeds and fever, he was suspected to have contracted mucormycosis, reported NDTV.
However, test results revealed, what he had was rare fungal infection known as aspergillosis.
This is likely the first case of aspergillosis post COVID recovery to be reported in India.
According to Dr Ravi Dosi, the head of the Department of Chest Diseases at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences (SAIMS) in Indore, the patient was air lifted from there to Mumbai for further treatment.
AIIMS Chief Randeep Guleria, has previously warned about the use of colours names for fungal infections and how it can cause confusion.
Here's what we know about aspergillosis,
What Do We Know About Aspergillosis?
'Green fungus' or 'Green mold' is an umbrella term used to refer to different species of fungi that are green in colour. This particular case is of aspergillosis, an infection caused by the mold, Aspergillus.
Aspergillus is a type of fungus commonly found in our surroundings.
According to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they is found both indoors and outdoors and most people breathe them in everyday unknowingly without getting sick.
People who have weakened immune systems (like patients of severe COVID) or those with lung infections, asthma are more susceptible to health problems caused by the fungus.
According to Mayo Clinic, some of the most common symptoms of invasive Aspergillosis are,
Fever and chills
Cough
Coughing blood
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
The Link Between COVID and Fungul Infections
Whether it's the green, white, yellow, or black fungus, none of them are neither new, nor particularly unique to COVID.
Being associated with COVID, however, undoubtedly put them under the spotlight unlike before.
Speaking to FIT for another story, Dr Sumit Ray explained,
“Any critically ill person is prone to what is is called ‘invasive candidiasis’...A severe infection can lead to a secondary infection. If you have a severe septicemia because of bacterial infection or viral infections, you can get a secondary fungal infection because of the immunity being compromised.”Dr Sumit Ray, critical care medicine, Holy Family Hospital, Delhi
He goes on to add that the infection can be treated with plenty of medications. However, in spite of medications, a certain percentage with severe secondary infection die.
“That has been true not only of COVID, but of all critically ill patients,” says Dr Ray.
(Written with inputs from NDTV and Live Mint.)
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