With the central goverment asking states to notify ‘Black fungus‘ infection or mucormycosis as an epidemic, another infection called white fungus has been reported in some cases. 

An increasing number black fungus cases have been reported from across the country in the past several days, with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal saying dedicated wards will be set up at three hospitals for treating the infection.

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The disease kills around 50% of infected people within days, AFP reported, with doctors requiring to remove the patient’s eye and upper jaws in some cases to stop the infection. 

However, the newly discovered cases of white fungus is concerning healthcare experts, with some saying it is deadlier than the black fungus. 

One of them is Dr Arunesh Kumar, a senior consultant and head respiratory medicine/pulmonology, Paras Hospital. 

What causes the white fungus infection:

Speaking with the Indian Express, Dr Kumar said the infection can be caused due to low immunity. It can also be picked up by people by getting into contact with things that already contain these moulds, like water, and stressed on the importance on sanitation to prevent the infection. 

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Symptoms:

Dr Kumar said patients exhibit “COVID-like symptoms”, but test negative for coronavirus tests, adding that the infection can be diagnosed through CT-Scan or X Ray.   

Link between COVID-19 and white fungus:

The doctor said that COVID-19 patients are more prone to white fungus as it affects the lungs. White fungus also has similar symptoms as that resulting from the coronavirus infection. 

“Those who have weak immunity like diabetes, cancer patients, and those who are taking steroids for a long period of time must take special care as they are more at risk. It is also affecting those coronavirus patients who are on oxygen support,” he said.