Confusion reigns over how to categorize and record black fungus deaths
Hyderabad: A column given in hospital documents to record ‘death due to black fungus’. But, as these are post-Covid19 complications, there is no clarity on how these cases can be documented and reported.
The forms for ‘notified disease’ are clear on the type, stage and treatment protocol for the disease. When it comes to recording the death, there is confusion.
An ENT doctor explained: "The deaths are happening after brain surgery. We need proper guidelines to understand how this must be categorized and tabulated. There is a grey area. What is not clear is whether this would be notified as death due to black fungus."
There are many in the last stage of invasion in the brain and lungs, who have been sent back home. A senior ENT doctor at a private hospital says: "We did not admit those patients as there was little we could do. After two days, relatives have called us to say they are no more. These cases are the missed ones and they too will not be recorded."
The early symptoms of black fungus are swelling on the face, high sugar levels and recovery from Covid-9. Getting these evaluated from ENT doctors helps. Getting to know of the infection early helps in the start of the medicines early and the control of the invasion in the eyes and the brain.
No beds for patients
The Government ENT Hospital is full. All the 230 beds are occupied by patients of black fungus. There were 50 surgeries for black fungus in the hospital from May 18 to May 22. A team of Ayurveda doctors are to work along with allopathy doctors for the cure of these patients.
A doctor at an ENT hospital said: "For post-operative care and treatment, there is going to be a team effort — of both ayurveda and allopathy doctors. We have sufficient stock of amphotericin B and oral antifungals like posaconazole and isavuconazole for the government hospital patients."
