A Covid survivor in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore has been infected with ‘Green Fungus’ and shifted to Mumbai by air ambulance for treatment. It is possibly the first such reported case in the country, a senior doctor told reporters.
‘Green Fungus’ is the newest infection to join earlier reported cases of black, white and yellow fungus even after AIIMS chief Randeep Guleria warned against creating ‘confusion’ with fungus colours last month.
The newest disease is an Aspergillosis infection, and more research was needed on the fungus, Dr Ravi Dosi, the head of the Department of Chest Diseases at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences (SAIMS) in Indore said.
The doctor said that the man, who had recovered from Covid-19, underwent a test on suspicion that he had contracted the dreaded black fungus infection (mucormycosis). But he was instead found to have green fungus (Aspergillosis) infection in his sinuses, lungs and blood.
“The patient underwent Covid treatment for around two months. He went home and around 10-15 days started experiencing nosebleeds and fever. He came in for tests and we found that he is infected with ‘Green Fungus’,” Dr Dosi said.
Green fungus, also known as ‘Aspergillosis’, includes high fever and nose bleeding. Aspergillosis is an infection caused by Aspergillus, a common mold that lives indoors and outdoors. However, people with low or weak immune systems or lung diseases are at a higher risk of developing health problems due to Aspergillus.
These kinds of rare fungal infections can only be prevented by maintaining good hygiene, oral and physical cleanliness. One should try to avoid areas with a lot of dust and stored contaminated water. If you can’t avoid these areas, wear an N95 respirator for prevention.
