Slowing the pace of India’s mucormycosis threat (GS-2, Governance, The Hindu, Health)

26 May Slowing the pace of India’s mucormycosis threat (GS-2, Governance, The Hindu, Health)

Context:- The alarming rise in India recently in the incidence of mucormycosis — a rare fungal infection in the covid-19 pateints.

Why:-

• COVID-19 medication included steroids which decrease the natural immune power.
• Self medication increases the blood sugar level.
• steroids, chemotherapy or immunotherapy, and solid organ or stem-cell transplantations
• common sites of presentation include rhino-cerebral involvement
• SARS-CoV-2 can potentially multiply in pancreatic cells and contribute to increased blood sugar levels
• Surgery for mucormycosis can be debilitating requiring major resections. 

What is way forward:-

•  Steroid use at home for COVID-19 should be only under the supervision of a health-care worker.

•  The control of blood sugars during steroid intake 

• monitoring of capillary blood glucose is essential
•  a tele-consult with a doctor is advisable
• Patients on steroids for COVID-19 should report symptoms of mucormycosis at the earliest
•  COVID-19 treatment experts and policy-makers may consider widespread training of health-care personnel

Swarn Singh

Plutus IAS Current Affair Team Member