Mucormycosis - Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment!

Mucormycosis is a kind of fungal infection that falls under the category of mucorale family. Although rare, mucormycosis is a very serious condition. It occurs when the immune system has become weak as a result of a health condition or illness. Mucormycosis can prove to be fatal if left untreated.

Symptoms
Mucormycosis can arise on any part of the body. It initially appears at the site of injury or trauma on the skin and then spreads quickly to other places. Initial symptoms that indicate the possibility of mucormycosis include-

• Fever
• A cough
• A headache
• Sinus Pain
• Nasal congestion
• Skin tissues that have become black
• Blisters
• Swelling
• Ulcers
• Tenderness

Mucormycosis and Pediatrics
Mucormycosis is one of the most common fungal infections to occur in children. Pediatric mucormycosis affects children already suffering from malignancies such as pulmonary, paranasal sinus, or disseminated disorders and is extremely lethal. A combination of surgery and active anti-fungal therapy provides a better outcome.

Diagnosis
Usually, children suffering from mucormycosis do not realize it because the symptoms associated with it are also similar to many other disorders or illnesses. However, it is recommended that you take your child to visit a doctor if you suspect an infection.

The condition is diagnosed with the help of a nasal discharge or phlegm sample if you are suffering from a sinus infection. In case the infection has come about due to a skin infection, your health care provider might clean the area that is in question.

Treatment of Mucormycosis

• One of the first steps to treating mucormycosis is receiving anti-fungal infections through IV or intravenous. The next step that follows is surgical debridement which involves cutting away of the infected tissue. Removing away the infected part by cutting it away from the body prevents the chances of the infection from spreading to the other body parts.
• If the response rate of the patient is fairly well to intravenous and tissue removal method, the doctor will move onto the stage of oral medications in place of IV.
• As mucormycosis is not contagious, it is not likely to get passed onto from an already infected person. Therefore, this matter self-care measures are the only way to evade an infection. If your child has weak immunity, for example, ensure that he/she wears a mask while doing any activity that involves dust and inhaling any outside air that might be polluted. Taking precautions during any change of season is also recommended.