Yellow Fungus

• 29 May 2021

Why in News

After black and white fungus, the recent case of yellow fungus has become a cause for concern.

Key Points

• About:
  
  • Yellow fungus, also called mucor septic, initially develops by the presence of moulds (a type of fungi) in the environment.
    
    • It may be present with unnecessary fatigue, rashes, burning sensation on skin etc.
    • Humidity levels below 30-40% can promote the growth of fungus.
  • It may not start from the lungs but it invades internal organs of the body and affects the entire functioning.
• Potential Causes:
  
  • Prolonged use of steroids, contaminated environment, uncontrolled diabetes, unhygienic habits, lesser immunity, comorbidities.
  • The treatment for Covid-19 includes steroids and immunosuppressants that leave the body with weak immunity.
• Symptoms:
  
  • Weight loss, reduced appetite, lethargy are the common symptoms of yellow fungus infection.
  • If not detected in time, symptoms can become more severe including pus leakage, sunken eyes, organ failure, slow healing of wounds and necrosis (cells in the living tissues die prematurely).
• Treatment:
  
  • Till now the only known treatment for yellow fungus is Amphotericin B injection, which is an antifungal drug also being used to treat black fungus.
• Prevention:
  
  • Maintaining hygiene, not consuming stale food, keeping the humidity in the room in check, etc.

Black Fungus

• Mucormycosis, previously known as zygomycosis and sometimes termed as black fungus, is generally spread by breathing in, eating food contaminated by, or getting spores of molds of the Mucorales type in an open wound.

White Fungus

• White Fungus or Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by a yeast (a type of fungus) called Candida.

Source: IE