Green fungus: What we know so far

Green Fungus infection was confirmed in a COVID-19 patient in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, wherein doctors have said is likely the first such reported case in India. The 34-year-old, who recuperated from Covid-19 was shifted to Mumbai's Hinduja Hospital by air ambulance for treatment, reports said.

The patient was being given medical attention in Indore’s Aurobindo Hospital for the last one-and-a-half-month.

"He had 90 per cent lung infection. In the time of diagnosis, green fungus was detected in his lungs which is different from Mucormycosis or Black Fungus. This possibly is the first green fungus case in the country," Apoorva Tiwari, district data manager with the health department in Indore, was quoted as saying by ANI.

Dr Ravi Dosi, head of the department of chest diseases at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences (SAIMS), told news agency PTI that the man went through test on suspicion that he had black fungus. But instead he was diagnosed with green fungus or aspergillosis in his sinuses, lungs and blood. "The patient recovered. But then he started having nose bleeds and a high fever. He had also become very weak due to weight loss," Dr Dosi said.

The doctor also warned that more analysis was required on if the charecter of "green fungus" infection in people who have recovered from Covid-19 is different from other patients.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences director Randeep Guleria's statement says we shouldn't classify fungal infections based on their colour rather we should use the medical names of the diseases instead.

What causes Aspergillosis (Green Fungus)?

It is an infection caused by a common mold, Aspergillus, which lives indoors as well as outdoors. People get this infection by breathing in microscopic Aspergillus spores from the environment. Majority of us breathe in Apergillus spores daily without getting sick but those with enfeeble immunity or lung diseases are at a higher risk of developing health related issues.

As maintained by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), allergic reactions, lung infections and infections in other organs are among the types of health issues caused by Apergillus. However, Aspergillosis is not transmissible and cannot spread between people or between people and animals.

Who can get infectted?

According to the United States health body different types of aspergillosis affect different groups of people.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is mostly found in people who have asthma. Aspergillomas generally infect people who have other lung diseases like tuberculosis. Also called a “fungus ball.” Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis typically occurs in people who have other lung diseases, namely tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or sarcoidosis.

The fast spreading aspergillosis have an effect on people who have weakened immunity, such as people who have had a stem cell transplant or organ transplant, are receiving chemotherapy for cancer, or are taking high doses of corticosteroids.

What are the symptoms?
Different types of aspergillosis can bring about different symptoms, says CDC. The symptoms of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis are much the same as asthma symptoms, which includes wheezing, shortness of breath, cough and fever.

Among the symptoms of allergic Aspergillus sinusitis are stuffiness, runny nose, headache and reduced ability to smell. Symptoms of an aspergilloma or “fungus ball” are cough, coughing up blood and shortness of breath. Weight loss, cough, coughing up blood, fatigue and shortness of breath.

Fever is a usual manifestation of invasive aspergillosis, which normally hits people who are already ill from other medical conditions. It can be confusing to realize which symptoms are related to an Apergillus infection. However, the symptoms of invasive aspergillosis in the lungs fever, chest pain, cough, coughing up blood and shortness of breath. As per the CDC other symptoms can come about if the infection spreads to other parts of the body.

How to prevent getting Aspergillosis infection?

According to medical experts, unusual fungal infections can be averted by maintaining good hygiene and oral and physical cleanliness. People should try and stay away from areas with a lot of dust and contaminated water. They should wear an N95 mask for prevention if they cannot avoid going to those areas. Stay away from activities that involve close contact to soil or dust. People should continue washing their face and hands with soap and water.

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