India is in a state of whammies and worries as in the middle of battling the horrendous second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country has been reporting the severe emergence of what have been the rarest diseases in its territory. The surge of Coronavirus has introduced the deadliest fungal infections to the large-scale populace of the country, leaving the governments to brace up a twin battle of combating the COVID-19 pandemic and fungal infections. 

The distressing surge of the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the country to witness the unprecedented rise of Mucormycosis or Black   Fungus infection in several states. The spike in the black fungus infection has recorded in many states with the Central government directing the states to declare the Black Fungus infection as a notifiable disease. The disturbing emergence of the Black Fungus infection has also brought its deadliest companions - White Fungus and Yellow Fungus infection to the country. 

According to reports, India has recorded over 10,000 cases of Black Fungus infection so far and a few days ago, Patna Medical College in Bihar has reported four cases of White Fungus infection, which is more dangerous than the black. Amid the rise of the two deadliest fungus infections, India has now reported the emergence of Yellow Fungus infection as a patient has got infected by the Yellow Fungus in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. As experts say that the Yellow Fungus infection is more dangerous than the Black and White, let's see what are the symptoms and preventions for the triple fungi threats.

Black Fungus - Who would be at risk, what are the symptoms and prevention: 

Black Fungus or Mucormycosis is caused by the fungus Mucor. People can get infected by the fungal disease if they come in contact with the black fungus spores in the environment and their immediate ambience. It can affect the face, nose, eyes, and brain. In some cases, it can cause loss of vision and it can also spread to the lungs. The symptoms of the black fungus infection include Nasal blockage, facial or cheekbone pain, discolouration of the nose, congestion or redness, and swelling of the eyes, and impaired vision.

Who would be at risk due to the Black Fungus infection and what are the preventions: 

According to experts, COVID-19 patients, diabetic people, and people on the prolonged use of steroids are more at risk of getting infected with the black fungus infection. A prolonged stay in the ICU can also increase the risk of black fungus. The preventions from Black Fungus include maintaining good hygiene and cleanliness, maintaining oral hygiene care with mouthwash, use sterile water for humidification while administering oxygen, and refrain from using more antibiotics and antifungals. 

Some of the other preventive measures include maintaining prescribed sugar levels, staying indoors and doing regular physical exercise and staying away from moistures, avoid construction areas and grounds, and wear rubber gloves, masks, and boots while walking on the grounds as the surface may carry the fungus spores. 

White Fungus - who would be at risk, what are the symptoms and prevention: 

White Fungus infection is more dangerous than Black because it gravely affects the lungs and the White Fungus can also damage other parts of the body. It may become vigour and affect the brain and respiratory system. The fungal infection was first reported in Patna Medical College in Bihar. Dr SN Singh, who is the head of the Microbiology department in Patna Medical College and Hospital, told a news agency that there could be many more cases of such infection in the country. 

Who would be at risk and what are the symptoms and prevention of White Fungus infection:

The experts say that people with low immunity are susceptible and at more risk of getting infected with White Fungus. Untidy environments containing the moulds would push people to be more vulnerable to contract the fungal infection. The symptoms of white fungus are similar to COVID-19 symptoms including chest pain, headaches, cough, diarrhoea, white patches in the oral cavity, reduced oxygen level, breathlessness, and White Fungus can directly affect the lungs and possibly collapse the immune system. 

Dr Kaushal Verma of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS),  the white fungus begins from the tongue or private parts, it makes the tongue white post which it will spread to lungs, brain, and food pipes. The major preventive measures to protect yourself from White Fungus infection include the necessity of maintaining a healthy immune system and maintaining the surroundings clean, tidy, and free from dust. 

Yellow Fungus - Who would be at risk, what are the symptoms, and prevention?

The experts say that the yellow fungus infection normally affects reptiles and it is more dangerous than the Black and White Fungus infections. Failure of initial treatment for Yellow Fungus may cause death and the infection causes mainly due to bad hygiene. So far, India has reported one Yellow Fungus case, that was reported in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. 

Who would be at risk and what are the symptoms and prevention of the Yellow Fungus Infection: 

The symptoms of Yellow Fungus include laziness, loss of appetite, or no appetite, and weight loss. In serious cases, yellow cases can also cause leakage of pus and slow healing of the open wound, and slow healing of all wounds, malnutrition, organ failure, and sunken eyes. People who have poor and declining immunity would be at risk for the Yellow Fungus infection. People who are suffering from diabetes, cancer, and other co-morbidities should also remain vigilant and must approach a doctor if they develop symptoms. 

The preventive measures to stay off from the Yellow Fungus infection include following good food and hygiene practices as fungal infections love to live in a bad hygienic environment. The experts advise that the surroundings must be kept clean and people must remove stale food from their residences to uproot the growth of fungus. While the above preventive measures are friendly, the medical world prescribes Amphotericin B infection as the treatment for black, white, and yellow fungus infections.