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Published on: May 22, 2021
3 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

COVID Associated Black Fungus: Succumbing To Black Fungus !

COVID associated Black Fungus: What you need to know

As COVID spreads across India, there has been an increase in reports of associated infection with a black fungus occurring in some patients. It affects the nose, mouth, eyes, and lungs, and can be fatal. This is an infection we need to be educated on, and early recognition of it can be life-saving. Today we will talk about Mucormycosis, the black fungus responsible for these infections, and what you should do to prevent or recognize an infection.

If you want to learn how to recognize the infection, go down to the INFECTION section of the article.

FUNGUS

When our body gets infected by a bacteria or virus, the signs and symptoms are often recognized early because bacteria and viruses are aggressive, with toxins and mechanisms designed to cause harm to our body and cause easily recognizable symptoms. Fungi on the other hand are slow-growing, and usually, our bodies can fight usually fight these infections before they become a problem. We breathe in fungal spores all the time, especially when outside, in the garden, or in fields, and they cause no harm.

Mucormycosis, the responsible fungus, is found in soil, and decaying fruits and vegetables. It can enter our body by inhalation, by eating foods infected with it, or by direct contact with an open wound, thereby entering our blood. It can be found inside the nose of healthy people, causing no problems or disease. Before the COVID pandemic, infection by mucormycosis was up to 80 times more prevalent in India than in other developed countries, though still rare.

IMMUNOSUPPRESSION

Looking at case reports of patients infected with mucormycosis shows a common theme. Immunocompromised patients are at much higher risk of infection by the fungus and are more likely to have severe disease. This includes patients with diabetes, poorly controlled diabetes, patients taking steroids, organ transplant patients (who are usually on immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection), those with blood cancer (leukemia/lymphoma, reducing your blood immunity).

Diabetes (especially poorly controlled diabetes) is a major problem in these cases, as diabetes is fairly common in India, can lay unrecognized, and if not controlled or treated appropriately the rising blood sugar levels can damage your arteries, nerves, and significantly lower your immunity. Any infection in diabetic patients can be more difficult to treat and spread more quickly, and this is made worse by COVID-19.

COVID causes widespread inflammation throughout the body, especially the lungs, and the resulting damage causes difficulty breathing and death by respiratory failure. Steroids are currently our best way to treat COVID, by suppressing the body’s immune system and preventing lung damage. Unfortunately, this also allows mucormycosis spores inhaled by COVID patients to infect the now vulnerable, damaged airway, lungs, and sinuses, and start spreading. The body’s response to the infection is dampened by the steroids, and in those with diabetes, it is hindered further.

INFECTION

The black fungus usually spreads in the nose and sinuses of the skull, as it prefers a warm, humid environment. From here it can spread into the eyes and in rare cases the brain.

Recognize the symptoms of the fungus, and be very suspicious in patients with diabetes or those who have had high doses of steroids.

- Facial swelling on one side

- Nose or sinus congestion

- Pain in the sinuses, around the nose, and eyes

- Black mold growing around the nose or mouth

- Fever, headache

When it infects the lungs it can cause symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Unfortunately, this can be difficult to separate from symptoms of COVID infection.

If you suspect you or someone you know has these symptoms, and they have the risk factors of immunosuppression or diabetes, you should visit a doctor early. Mucormycosis has a high mortality rate, and a delay in diagnosis by even a week can double it. Your doctor will take swab samples from your nose and look for signs of the fungus under a microscope. Blood tests and scans are also helpful in identifying the fungal infection.

TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

Treatment of mucormycosis requires IV antifungals such as Amphotericin B and may involve surgery to remove the infected areas and prevent further spread. This can include surgery in and around the nose, sinuses, and in rare cases even the eyes. This all depends on the extent of the fungal infection.

Prevention is key in these cases. Simple measures such as wearing a mask to reduce inhalation of spores can minimize infection, especially in the vulnerable, though it may not prevent it if they already had spores present in their nose and sinuses. Glucose tests to look for diabetes, and strict control of diabetes will improve your chances significantly. Keeping your blood sugar levels within the normal range is very important, so if you are diabetic now is the time to stick to your diabetic diet and medications.

Finally, we need to be careful when using immunosuppressive medications to treat COVID, and determining which patients should receive steroids (dexamethasone, prednisolone) and other drugs such as tocilizumab. If you are young and healthy, or you have a milder infection of COVID-19, it may be better for you to not take steroids early. Those with more serious COVID-19 infections may need steroids to survive, and in these cases frequent checks for mucormycosis infection is advisable.

The rise in this rare fungal disease in patients with COVID-19 presents a problem, as we do not have much literature to base our recommendations on, the disease is slow-growing and can be difficult to treat. But as always, understanding the disease process for black fungus and knowing its symptoms is important, as is informing your family and friends about this disease.

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Role of Nutrition in Disease Prevention: How Food Choices Shape Long-Term Health

Disease prevention is no longer limited to vaccinations and medical screenings. Modern healthcare increasingly recognises nutrition as one of the most powerful tools for preventing illness before it begins. The role of nutrition in disease prevention is especially important in India, where lifestyle-related diseases account for a large share of premature illness and mortality.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), poor dietary patterns contribute significantly to rising cases of diabetes, heart disease, obesity and hypertension. Unlike genetic factors, nutrition is a modifiable risk factor, meaning everyday food choices can actively protect health.

Why Nutrition Is Central to Disease Prevention

1. Nutrition regulates metabolic health

Balanced diets help maintain:

healthy blood sugar levels
optimal cholesterol balance
stable blood pressure

Disruption in these systems increases disease risk.

2. Nutrition strengthens immunity

WHO highlights that immune function depends heavily on adequate intake of vitamins, minerals and protein.

3. Nutrition controls inflammation

Chronic low-grade inflammation is linked to most lifestyle diseases. Diets rich in whole foods reduce inflammatory markers.

Major Diseases Influenced by Nutrition

Diabetes and Prediabetes

Excess refined carbohydrates and sugar drive insulin resistance.

Preventive nutrition focuses on:

whole grains
fibre-rich vegetables
adequate protein
controlled portion sizes

ICMR data shows that dietary modification can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals.

Cardiovascular Disease

Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in India.

Nutrition impacts:

cholesterol levels
blood pressure
arterial inflammation

Diets low in trans fats and high in fibre significantly reduce cardiovascular risk, as confirmed by WHO and Lancet studies.

Obesity

Obesity increases the risk of multiple chronic diseases.

Preventive nutrition addresses:

calorie density
food quality
satiety regulation

NFHS-5 reports a steady rise in overweight and obesity across age groups.

Hypertension

High sodium intake and low potassium intake contribute to high blood pressure.

Preventive dietary strategies include:

reducing processed foods
increasing fruits and vegetables
maintaining mineral balance

Certain Cancers

Diet influences cancer risk through:

antioxidant intake
fibre consumption
reduced exposure to carcinogenic compounds

WHO estimates that a significant percentage of cancers are preventable through diet and lifestyle changes.

Key Nutrients That Support Disease Prevention

Fibre

Supports gut health, blood sugar control and cholesterol reduction.

Protein

Essential for muscle health, immune function and metabolic balance.

Healthy Fats

Omega-3 fats reduce inflammation and protect heart health.

Micronutrients

Iron, zinc, vitamin D and B vitamins are essential for metabolic and immune regulation.

NFHS-5 highlights widespread micronutrient deficiencies in India, increasing disease vulnerability.

Role of Gut Health in Prevention

The gut microbiome plays a major role in:

immune regulation
inflammation control
nutrient absorption

Fermented foods and fibre-rich diets support healthy gut bacteria, strengthening disease resistance.

Why Preventive Nutrition Works Best Early

Nutrition is most effective when applied:

before disease onset
during pre-disease stages
alongside regular health screening

Once disease progresses, nutrition remains supportive but may not reverse damage fully.

Nutrition vs Medication in Prevention

Medication treats disease; nutrition reduces risk.

WHO and NITI Aayog emphasize that:

preventive nutrition reduces disease incidence
lifestyle modification lowers healthcare burden
early nutrition changes reduce dependency on long-term medication

Both approaches work best when combined appropriately.

Workplace and Community Role in Preventive Nutrition

Structured nutrition programs at workplaces and communities:

improve awareness
support behaviour change
reduce population-level disease burden

Lancet studies show that group-based nutrition interventions improve long-term adherence.

Common Myths About Nutrition and Disease Prevention

Myth 1: Supplements replace healthy food

Whole foods provide better long-term protection.

Myth 2: Prevention requires extreme diets

Consistency matters more than restriction.

Myth 3: Nutrition only matters after diagnosis

Early nutrition is most effective before disease develops.

Building a Preventive Nutrition Routine

Effective preventive nutrition includes:

regular meals
diverse food groups
portion awareness
minimal processed foods
hydration

Small daily choices compound into long-term health benefits.

Long-Term Impact of Preventive Nutrition

Consistent healthy eating leads to:

reduced disease risk
improved energy and productivity
better immune resilience
lower healthcare costs
improved quality of life

NITI Aayog identifies nutrition as a cornerstone of sustainable healthcare systems.

Conclusion

Understanding the role of nutrition in disease prevention empowers individuals to take control of their health long before illness develops. Balanced, consistent nutrition reduces inflammation, supports immunity and protects against chronic diseases that burden India’s healthcare system. Preventive nutrition is not about short-term fixes but about building lifelong habits that support health, resilience and longevity.

References

ICMR – Nutrition and Lifestyle Disease Prevention Reports
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Dietary and Metabolic Health Data
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Nutrition Strategy Reports
WHO – Diet, Nutrition and Chronic Disease Prevention Guidelines
Lancet – Nutrition and Disease Risk Reduction Studies
Statista – Dietary Trends and Health Outcomes India
EY-FICCI – Preventive Healthcare and Nutrition Economics

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