PRISM

BLACK AND WHITE IN THE SECOND WAVE

The updated numbers of black fungus cases in Delhi government was 683 without including central government hospitals on last Monday.At the beginning of fungus there were 8-9 cases everyday.But today it's decreased as 3 cases a day.

Amid the second wave of  COVID-19 in India,

A sudden rise in Black and White Fungus cases have been reported from several parts of the country,which was considered more dangerous than Black Fungus. 

 Dr Honey Savla, Internal medicine, workhardt hospital explains what Black and White Fungus are, there symptoms and treatment below : 

Mucormycosis or Black Fungus is a complication caused by a fungal infection. People catch mucormycosis by coming in contact with the fungal spores in the environment. It can also develop on the skin after the fungus enters the skin through a cut, scrape, burn, or other types of skin trauma. 

Cases of mucormycosis, or "Black Fungus," a potentially serious condition that causes blurred or double vision, chest pain and breathing difficulties, have surged in India, mostly among COVID-19 patients. At least 8,848 such cases have been found across the country as of May 21, according to the govt.

White Fungus is just a myth and misconception. It is basically candidiasis, a fungal infection caused by a type of fungus called Candida. It is the most common fungal infection. White Fungus is more dangerous than black fungus. 

‘Mucormycosis’ is more dangerous because it is normally not found in the human system, and we normally do not see many cases. Candidiasis is easily diagnosed and easily treated. This infection generally affects areas or parts of the body that have a thin lining, mucocutaneous junctions like lips, nose, or inside the mouth and genital area Most of the times, it is not life threatening, unless you miss treatment or symptoms completely and it becomes invasive.

The main symptoms of black fungus are :

 • Nasal blockage

 • facial or cheekbone pain

 • blackish and foul-smelling nasal discharge

 • congestion 

 • redness and swelling of eyes and nose 

 • impaired vision

The main symptoms of white fungus are very similar to those of coronavirus. They include:

 • low oxygen levels

 • chest pain and cough apart from whitish patches in the oral cavity

 • white discharge 

 • skin lesions

We can protect ourselves from both fungi.

Both white fungus and black fungus are known to impact Covid-19 patients with low immunity. To prevent black fungus infection in Covid-19 patients doctors suggest better control of the sugar levels during COVID with or without steroids, judicious use of steroids observing correct timing, correct dose and correct duration, use of clean or sterile water for humidifiers during the oxygen therapy.

According to the Indian Express, “proper sanitisation of ventilators/oxygen cylinders is the best way to prevent white fungus attack.”

            According to a report published by the Indian Express, yes. The reason being, white fungus can affect numerous vital organs of the body including the lungs, kidney, brain, private parts and mouth. According to reports, white fungus can also easily spread to children.

The Centre on Thursday directed all state and UT governments to declare Mucormycosis, known as ‘Black Fungus’, a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, after reports came about 126 deaths due to this deadly disease till now across India. Nearly 5,500 cases have been officially reported till now from different states. 

The key drug, Liposomal amphotericin B, used for the treatment of Black Fungus, has now become scarce in Delhi and nine other states and the Centre has asked pharma companies to ramp up production on a war scale. In Delhi, there are more than 200 patients suffering from Black Fungus undergoing treatment in different hospitals. Most of them are aged above 50 years. Maharashtra is the worst-hit state with 90 deaths so far, followed by 14 deaths in Haryana. 

Meanwhile, reports came in of White Fungus surfacing in Patna, the capital of Bihar. With the AIIMS issuing guidelines about detection and treatment of Black Fungus disease, I spoke to Dr Nikhil Tandon, Head of department of endocrinology, metabolism and diabetes, in my prime time show ‘Aaj Ki Baat’ on Thursday night, about various issues relating to this deadly epidemic. He is considered an expert on fungal infection.

During the interview, Dr Tandon made some points clearly: One, neither black fungus nor white fungus are new diseases, there are fungii in our environment, but earlier there were very, very few such fungus-related cases, but due to widespread use of strong steroids during Covid-19 treatment, the black fungus surfaced and targeted mostly diabetics, who have lower immunity. This black fungus attacks the small blood vessels and capillaries.

The Centre has said that a multi-disciplinary approach is required for treatment of all black fungus and white fungus patients. Eye surgeons, ENT specialists, general surgeon and neuro surgeons should be part of this team. Health Ministry and Indian Council of Medical Research has formulated guidelines to be followed by all government hospitals, medical colleges and private hospitals for screening, diagnosis and management of all black fungus and white fungus cases. New cases are being reported daily from Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, and other cities of Maharashtra, Haryana and Bihar.

Delhi government has started preparing separate black fungus wards in LNJP hospital, GTB Hospital and Rajiv Gandhi Hospital. More than 400 black fungus patients are presently admitted in Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Doctors and patients in almost all states are facing problem of inavailability of Liposomal injections.

The noteworthy dua of Hazrat Ayub(A.S) and a great proof of the noble and contented nature of Hazrat Ayub(A.S),

Who was tested by Allah by giving severe skin diseases. Hazrat Ayub(A.S) was patient enough and always recieted the following dua:

DUA OF PROPHET AYYUB (A.S.)

 ﴿ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ

“Verily, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy.”

Allah tells in Surah Anmbia 21 Ayat 83 that Hazrat Ayub was in great distress but he did not say anything, except he cried to Almighty Allah. 

Hazrat Ayub was suffering from unusual skin disease. His skin was all over covered with sore boils. So he prayed this dua to Allah Almighty who showed him mercy. Allah accepted his prayer and removed the affliction from him. Also, Hazrat Ayub returned to his family and many more mercy was bestowed from Allah.

 

Dua for protection against illness

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْبَرَصِ، وَالْجُنُونِ،وَالْجُذَامِ، وَمِنْ سَيِّئِ الأَسْقَامِ

O Allah, I seek refuge in You from leprosy, madness, and evil diseases

In the books of Imams Al-Bukhari and Muslim {may Allah have mercy upon them}it is narrated that Anas {may Allah be pleased with him} said: "The Messenger of Allah Prophet Muhammed [S.A] has allowed Abdur-Rahman Ibn 'Awf and Az-Zubayr Ibn Al-'Awwam {may Allah be pleased with them} to wear silk garments because of a skin rash they had." In another narration, "Abdur-Rahman Ibn 'Awf and Az-Zubayr Ibn Al-'Awwam complained to the Prophet [S.A] during a battle that they had a skin rash, and he allowed them to wear silk garments which I saw them wearing."

There are two areas of interest regarding this narration, one in the area of Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) and another medical.

In the area of Fiqh, in principle, wearing silken garments is allowed only for women and is disallowed for men, except when there is a legitimate need. For instance, men are allowed to wear silken garments in cold weather, when one has only a silken garment to wear and when complaining from mange, rashes, mites or lice, as evident by the last narration.

According to Imams Ahmad and Shafi {may Allah have mercy upon them} wearing silken garments is allowed for men if a necessity warrants it.

 The permission given to some Muslims due to special circumstances applies to all those who face similar circumstances.Several scholars said that the narrations that prohibit silken garments for men apply in general. They said that the aforementioned narration might entail a specific permission for only 'Abdur-Rahman Ibn 'Awf and Az-Zubayr {may Allah be pleased with them}.

They say that it is possible, though, that this permission applies to other Muslims. When there is a probability regarding a certain ruling, adhering to the general text is warranted. This is why some of the narrators of this narration commented: "I do not know if the permission does apply to whoever comes after them ('Abdur-Rahman Ibn 'Awf and Az-Zubayr)."

                Now that the situation has somewhat eased, let us vow never to drop our guard and be eternally vigilant against this deadly virus. Get yourself tested at the first hint of any Covid symptom, and isolate yourself immediately. Please do not self-medicate. It enhances the risks by several times. Consult a doctor. Do not take your mask lightly. Better wear a double mask which should fully cover your nose and mouth. The nation can survive only if all of us survive. The next important part is: vaccination. Every Indian needs to be vaccinated. The stocks of vaccines may be low presently, but the Centre has promised to bring in more stocks by next month. The next three months will witness a flurry of vaccination doses. Our war against Corona shall continue till last. Where the time now 70 percent of Indians are not vaccinated.

*Raliya rafeek*