Black Fungus Unlikely to Develop in People Without COVID-19, Those With High Blood Sugar at Higher Risk

Experts said, there's no need for healthy people, specifically those who are not infected with COVID-19 as they are not likely to develop black fungus.

However, according to a Hindustan Times report, those with high blood sugar need to be alert as they are at higher risk of getting the infection if they do not have the said virus.

Amid the dramatic increase of the black fungus or mucormycosis cases among COVID-19 patients in India, experts have cautioned that this fungal infection can take place even with the absence of the virus, and so those experiencing high blood sugar need to watch out.

According to Dr. VK Paul, Niti Aayog (health) member, black fungus is an infection that was present before COVID-19, as well.

ALSO READ: COVID-19 Outbreak in India Could Still Threaten Those Who Got Coronavirus Vaccine; Here's Why

Science Times - Black Fungus Unlikely To Develop in People Without COVID-19, but Those With High Blood Sugar Are at Higher Risk of Such Infection Even Without the Virus

(Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)
A blood sugar check is performed on a COVID-19 patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Black Fungus in Diabetic People

Dr. Paul added that what medical students are taught about this infection is affecting diabetic people, those with uncontrolled diabetes.

He also said the combination of uncontrolled diabetes and some other substantial disease might result in black fungus.

Explaining the condition's severity, which makes one susceptible to black fungus, Dr. Paul explained that blood sugar level reaches 700 to 800, a circumstance medically identified as diabetic ketoacidosis, black fungus's attack among children or adults, is considered common. Any other illnesses, this expert elaborated, such as pneumonia, for one, worsen the situation.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Mayo Clinic describes diabetic ketoacidosis as a severe complication of diabetes that takes place when a person's body is producing high blood acid levels, which are called ketones.

Such a condition is developing when the body is unable to generate adequate insulin. Normally, insulin plays a vital role in helping glucose or sugar, the main energy source for muscles and other tissues, enter the cells.

Minus adequate insulin in the body, the latter starts to break down fat as fuel. This particular process yields a buildup of acids in the bloodstream, also known as ketones, ultimately resulting in diabetic ketoacidosis if not treated.

Now, there is COVID-19 which itself, this report specifies, has its effects. Then comes the steroid's use. All these, Dr. Paul explained, have compounded the situation, although in short, people who do not have COVID-19 can also develop mucormycosis if there is the presence of other conditions.

Occurrence of Black Fungus in COVID-19 Patients

It has been reported that according to the public health authorities, like the devastating COVID-19 crisis of India continues, the rate of black fungus infection is on the rise.

It has been reported in hundreds of both recovering and recovered patients of COVID-19 across the nation, putting them at greater risk of severe health complications.

A Prevention report said, cases of black fungus started to rise two months ago and recently prompted a warning from public health officials.

Some states have been hit particularly hard. Specifically, Gujarat reported approximately 300 cases, while Maharashtra has had about 1,500 cases and 52 deaths at the time this report came out.

A related report is shown on DW News's YouTube video below: