Giving cold oxygen directly & using same mask for 2-3 weeks could lead to black fungus: AIIMS doctor

May 22: Fungal infections are not new. But it has never happened in epidemic proportions. We don’t know the exact reason why it is reaching why it is reaching why it is reaching to epidemic proportions. But we have reasons to believe that there could be multiple reasons. This was said in connection with the black fungus by Professor of Neurosurgery at AIIMS Dr P Sarat Chandra.

He further said that one of the important reasons is uncontrolled diabetes, systemic use of steroids along with tocilizumab, patients on ventilation, taking supplemental oxygen. Within 6 weeks of Covid treatment, if people have any of these factors, they are at highest risk of black fungus, added Dr Chandra.

Dr Chandra also said, “Giving cold oxygen directly from the cylinder is very dangerous. Using a mask for 2-3 weeks could be a setting for the development of black fungus. Anti-fungal drug Posaconazole can be given to high-risk individuals to reduce incidents of black fungus: Dr Chandra.”