India is under a situation where people are battling with different kinds of diseases all at one time. The second wave of COVID-19 has brought with it the scare of various kinds of fungal infections. Certain states reported cases of Black fungus (mucormycosis) and white fungus. Now comes the onset of yellow fungus in India. This infection has been flagged by doctors who believe it could be even more severe and infectious than black and white fungus. Currently, it’s just the first case which has been reported in Uttar Pradesh in India but it has put everyone on alert once again. Let us know some more details about yellow fungus, it’s symptoms, causes, treatment by Dr. Sumeet Nigam, General Physician in Sahara Hospital, Lucknow.
What Is Yellow Fungus?
It is a fungal infection which starts from within the body and starts to spread rapidly in different parts of the body. It is being described as more fatal than black and white fungus. There is not much information about this disease yet but there are assumptions that it affects the internal organs first and then the whole body slowly. Yellow Fungus is being told to be more fatal because the symptoms are not visible in the earlier stages like they are in case of black fungus. The first case has been registered in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
Yellow Fungus Symptoms
What we know of now is that it is a rare fungal infection that has been identified. Its symptoms are not common to the ones which are usually there for other fungal infection. Therefore there is a matter of more concern related to Yellow fungus. Symptoms of Yellow fungus include-
- Weight loss
- Negligible appetite
- Tiredness
- Leakage of pus
- Slow healing time for any open wound
- Malnutrition
- Unhygienic environment
- Organ failure
- Sunken eyes due to eventual necrosis
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Yellow Fungus Causes
Dr. Sumeet Nigam, General Physician practising at Sahara Hospital, Lucknow explains the cause behind yellow fungus. The main cause which can spread or infect you with yellow fungus is unhygienic circumstances. Yellow fungus is spreading due to lack of hygienic environment which gives space to bacteria and fungus. Humidity can also play a big role in yellow fungus; high humidity can increase the chances of fungal infection. Unfortunately this season and environmental conditions can support the growth of yellow fungus. Try to maintain humidity inside your home close to 30% to avoid suitable conditions for yellow fungal infection.
Here are few tips by Dr. Sumeet Nigam which you can follow to prevent Yellow fungus growth
- Take regular bath, if possible twice in a day.
- Do not leave the food uncovered or open for long period of time.
- Wash your face and body parts which are constantly exposed to dust and moisture.
- Disinfect the things which you in constant touch off.
- Make sure most of your rooms in the house get proper sunlight to avoid bacteria growth.
- Do not leave the used utensils dry with food on it. It can promote bacteria and fungus growth.
- Maintain proper cross-ventilation in the house, try not to have access of humidity in one room.
- Keep your surrounding clean and dry as much as possible.
- If you are feeling low on appetite regularly or there is leakage of puss, immediately consult a doctor.
Also Read- Prevent Black Fungus Or Mucormycosis With These 8 Oral Hygiene Tips
Treatment of Yellow Fungus
There are not many treatment options which are available for fungal growth of this kind. Also yellow fungus has just been discovered so there is no separate treatment for it as of now. Broad spectrum anti-fungal injection named Amphotericin B is available which is being given to all the patients of black fungus and white fungus. This fungal infection depends on immunity level as well. People with low immunity are more vulnerable to yellow fungal infection. The person admitted right now also suffered from COVID infection two months back.
Conclusion
It has been observed that black fungus which is also a rare fungal infection is spreading rapidly and has claimed many lives. COVID-19 patients and people with underlying health conditions were severely affected with this fungal infection. White fungus infection on the other hand infects the lungs and causes pneumonia. The vulnerability of yellow fungus infection has not yet been studied but it can be fatal for people with low immunity due to any cause especially COVID-19. Other conditions which can increase the chances of infection is your surrounding and hygiene.
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