Is the use of steroids the primary reason for the upsurge in black fungus infection? While the primary cause of mucormycosis is overuse of steroids, doctors said other factors are also responsible for the spike. Senior doctors argue that steroids have been used to treat several diseases, but never in recent years has such an exponential increase in mucormycosis been seen. Dr Uma Kumar, head of rheumatology at AIIMS, reasoned, “We have used steroids for weeks, months and in some cases, years, but in my career, I hadn’t seen such a rise in black fungus cases. There has to be other factors involved, and they should be investigated.” She added that sanitation and healthcare associated with fungal infections were also concerns.
BLACK FUNGUS: MORE TO IT THAN JUST STEROIDS
