'Black fungus' infections on the rise in India: report - New York Post

Cases of mucormycosis or “black fungus,” a rare but serious fungal infection, are climbing in India among some coronavirus patients, per news reports. .

Diabetes, cancer, organ transplants, stem cell transplants, low white blood cells, long-term corticosteroid use, injection drug use, too much iron, skin injury and premature or low birth weight are all considered to be risk factors

Doctors in India suspect the country’s overwhelmed hospitals and shortage of medical oxygen left patients vulnerable to the fungal infection

Bela Prajapati, in charge of treatment for hundreds of mucormycosis patients, told the Times that doctors’ excessive use of steroids to fight inflammation in coronavirus patients, to help them breathe easier, in turn spiked blood sugar levels and left diabetes patients at risk of infection

Arunaloke Chakrabarti noted many doctors didn’t have time to question patients over underlying conditions before turning to the steroids