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Mucormycosis (black fungus)

Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, is a severe that may cause fulminant fungal , usually in people who are . It is mostly curable when diagnosed early. Symptoms depend on where in the body the infection occurs. It most commonly infects the nose, , eyes and brain resulting in a runny nose, one-sided facial swelling and pain, headache, fever, blurred vision, bulging or displacement of the eye (proptosis), and death. Other sites of infection may include the lungs, stomach and intestines, and skin. It tends to progress rapidly and is fatal in about half of cases and almost all cases of the widespread type.

Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.

Symptoms — what it feels like

  • ·Depends on location: runny nose, black area of skin, facial swelling, headache, fever, cough, blurred vision

Causes — why it happens

  • ·Fungi of the Mucorales type

How it's found

  • ·, , medical

Prevention

  • ·Face masks, avoiding contact with soil or water-damaged buildings, good diabetic control

Treatment

  • ·, surgical debridement, treat underlying medical conditions

Complications

  • ·Blindness,

Outlook

  • ·Poor

Test yourself

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4 quick questions on Mucormycosis (black fungus). Tap an answer to check it.

1. What type of infection is mucormycosis (black fungus)?
2. Who is most likely to get mucormycosis?
3. Which condition is a known risk factor for mucormycosis?
4. Which body areas does mucormycosis most commonly infect?
Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.