General Information About Black Fungus Disease
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a dangerous infection where harmless fungal spores normally living in soil or decaying plants enter the respiratory tract of immunocompromised individuals and rapidly rot the tissues.
Those with uncontrolled diabetes, people undergoing cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients, and people who have used high-dose cortisone during Covid-19 treatment are at high risk. It is not contagious to healthy individuals.
The fungus blocks blood vessels, cutting off the blood supply (oxygen) to the tissues. It is given this name because the tissues around the nose, palate, and eyes die from a lack of oxygen and take on a black rotting (necrosis) color.
Swelling and pain on one side of the face, nasal congestion, black or bloody nasal discharge, black spots on the palate, swelling/loss of vision in the eyes, and high fever.
An ENT physician looks into the sinuses with an endoscope and sees the black dead tissues. For a definitive diagnosis, a piece taken from these tissues must be examined under a microscope, and the fungus must be cultured.
It is an emergency situation racing against hours. All dead tissues covered by the fungus (sometimes even the eye or jaw bone) are surgically excised and removed extensively. Simultaneously, very strong intravenous antifungal (Amphotericin B) medications are started.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
