EMERGING THREAT OF COVID-19 ASSOCIATED MUCORMYCOSIS IN INDIA: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
Keywords:
COVID-19, Mucormycosis, Black Fungus, Opportunistic Infection, Diabetes Mellitus, Corticosteroid Therapy, Antifungal TreatmentAbstract
Mucormycosis, commonly referred to as “black fungus,” has emerged as a significant secondary infection during the
COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in India. This opportunistic fungal disease, though non-communicable, spreads through
inhalation of spores that are omnipresent in the environment. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes, prolonged corticosteroid
therapy, malignancies, or immunosuppression are at the highest risk. The infection manifests with symptoms such as
headache, nasal congestion, facial swelling, eye pain, and partial vision loss. If not diagnosed and treated early, the disease
can rapidly progress, leading to high mortality rates. This review explores the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical
manifestations, and treatment approaches of mucormycosis in the Indian context, while emphasizing the urgent need for
early detection, judicious use of steroids, and improved awareness among healthcare workers and the public.
