White fungus & COVID-19

Firstly, COVID-19 then MUCORMYCOSIS (black fungal) and now WHITE FUNGUS, don’t know what is happening to the world? With the coming diseases one after another is just building up a horror play stag all over the earth.

On one side where a patient is fighting against a severe lethal virus while another organism that is the fungus is like sitting ready to infect the sufferer any how, may it through the black or through the white. Let’s know about it and get alert before one of us gets affected by any of them.

What is white fungus?

The infection caused by white fungus is called as white fungal infection or known by the name candidiasis in scientific language.

The serious fungal infection is caused by the yeast (a common fungal type) called as candida, when any person comes in contact with a certain object which already has the spores of candida fungi and thus, gets infective.

The infection mainly causes due to lack of proper sanitation around.

What causes white fungus infection in COVID-19 patients?

Basically, the main cause of the infection of white fungus in human body is unhealthy way of living.

·        The cases reported till now were researched and found that it could spread through the unsanitary way of handling the oxygen cylinders or ventilators in hospitals.

·        Usage of tap water in humidifiers used in oxygen supplements is another mode of white fungus transfer, as moulds of candida may be present in untreated tap water being used.

·        Also could infect due to over dosage of steroids as they make the immunity system weak while supporting the patient to fight against COVID-19.

What are the symptoms of white fungal infection?

The most basic symptoms of white fungal infection are very similar to the symptoms of COVID-19. Some of the symptoms detected so far in the infected patients are:

·        Cough.

·        Fever.

·        Diarrhea.

·        Dark spots on lungs.

·        Reduction in oxygen levels.

Which body parts get affected by white fungal infection?

According to the doctors and researchers the white fungal infection usually begins from tongue or through the private parts of human body and than spreads all other organs.

The fungi candida can normally exist alive in the mouth, gut, throat and vagina without causing severe problems.

But when it affects other organs of weakened immune system patients, it can cause harm to:

·        Lungs.

·        Nails.

·        Kidney.

·        Skin.

·        Blood.

·        Heart.

·        Brain.

·        Eyes.

·        Bones.

·        Genitals.

Who are at high risk of white fungal infection?

Some of the most probable people who might get infected through white fungus are:

·        Had any Organ Transplant.

·        Have consumed a lot of Antibiotics or Steroids under some type of medication.

·        Had any or multiple Abdominal Surgeries.

·        Are under Total Parenteral Nutrition (food intake through vein).

·        Diabetic patients.

·        Weak immune system.

·        Receiving Chemotherapy of cancer.

·        Undergoing through Hemodialysis or have kidney related complications.

      Have low white blood cell counts.

·        Are in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for a long time.

·        Are on Central Venous Catheter (a thin tube inserted in a vein for blood transfusion, chemotherapy or other drugs transfusion intravenously).

How white fungus could be diagnosed?

The only way to diagnose white fungal infection is through the CT-scans or X-Rays.

There is this only way to diagnose the infection. It is because the symptoms of white fungal infection and COVID-19 are similar.

In the all reported cases of white fungal infection, when the RT-PCR test was done, it resulted negative for COVID-19. And thus the X-rays of the patient revealed the infection.

Is white fungal infection contagious?

No, the white fungal infection is not contagious that is the fungi or the infection can’t be transferred from one person to another.

But a carrier can transfer it by certain objects to a patient whose immune is already weak and is at high risk of infection.

What is the treatment for white fungal infection?

According to the physicians, the infection could be treated through anti-fungal medications given at started at the earliest when the infection is detected.

While the medication of it strictly depends on certain factors like the age, immune status, severity of infection, location and the organs or body parts go affected.

Which is more dangerous among white fungus and black fungus?

Till date it is considered that the white fungus is much dangerous for human body then the black fungus. This is because the white fungus affects on the main organs of the body directly that are the lungs, gut or genitals. And also can’t be detected at early stages since it has similar symptoms as that of COVID-19.

The exact mortality rate of infection is still not known.

What are the preventions or precautions?

One should go for the below preventions to protect oneself from the white fungal infection:

·        First of all protect yourself from COVID-19 virus.

·        Proper sanitation around the patient.

·        Properly cleaned ventilators and oxygen cylinders in hospitals or at home isolation.

·        Regular check on blood sugar levels.

·        Hygienic environment all around and especially in kitchens.

·        Avoid usage of tap water in humidifiers attached to oxygen cylinders.

·        Over usage of steroids should be strictly avoided.

·        Special care for children and women should be given.

·        Immune system need to be strengthened.

·        Avoid having bread or chapattis kept for long time.

·        Avoid having water stored since long time in earthen pot or any other utensil.

With the COVID-19, the other infections which were rare are rising day by day. One should live with proper sanitation as the fungi and moulds grow in the places which are filthy and unhygienic and required to be cleaned.

Be Healthy. Be Safe. Be Alert. Be At Home.