Yellow & White Fungus

 White Fungal Infection

White fungus also known as Aspergillosis is an infection which have a grave impact on the lungs

as well as other body parts. It can become lethal and may impact vital organs like the brain, 

respiratory system, kidney, brain, private parts, mouth, nailbed and digestive tract.

Who is at risk?

White fungus attacks people who are immunocompromised, i.e, they have low immunity. 

Unsanitary environments containing the moulds make people prone to catching this fungal infection.

The disease isn’t contagious but a person is said to be vulnerable to the 

infection since these moulds can be easily inhaled by a patient. The fungus can further 

spread to vital organs and cause complications. 

Even diabetic people suffering from cancer and 

those on long steroids treatment are more at risk of catching white fungus.

Symptoms of White Fungus aka Aspergillosis-

White fungus symptoms are quite similar to COVID symptoms.

• Cough
• Fever
• Diarrhoea
• Dark spots on lungs
• Reduced oxygen level
• White patches in oral cavity
• Skin lesions
• Chest pain
• Breathlessness 
• Headaches
• Pains
• Swelling
• Infections

Preventive Measures To Be Taken For White Fungal Infection-

• Controlled Sugar Level
• Using Mask Consistently
• Maintaining Personal Hygiene
• Do Not Expose Your Skin To The Soil When Gardening or Handling Soil Or Manure
• Light Workout Such As Walking And Lifting Light Weights Is Important Especially For Diabetic Patients To Improve Blood Sugar Level.
• Eat Healthy And Improve Your Immune System.
• Maintain Your Surroundings Clean And Free From Dust.

While the infection can be detected through X-rays and CT scans, the patients are given 

anti-fungal medication for its treatment.

Yellow Fungal Infection

Yellow fungus starts internally, causes pus leakage, and leads to slow healing of wounds. In some serious cases,it affects the body’s internal organs, it could further lead to

devastating symptoms like organ failure and acute necrosis (cell injury).

Symptoms of yellow fungus

• Lethargy
• Poor appetite or no appetite
• Weight loss or poor metabolism
• Sunken eyes

Who is at risk?

People with compromised immunity, frail health or suffering from pre-existing problems like uncontrolled diabetes, high cholesterol, which cause inflammation and reduce the body's 

ability to fight off infections.

Prevention from Yellow Fungus Infection-

• Fungal infections generally spread through bad hygiene, so it is important to have good hygiene habits.
• Keep your surroundings clean.
• Remove stale food from the house to prevent the growth of fungus or bacteria.
• Humidity also plays an important role, so keep your humidity level between 30% to 40%.
• Coronavirus positive patients must immediately start treatment so complications like yellow fungus do not develop.
• Sanitation

Like mucormycosis, the treatment for yellow fungus is Amphoteracin-B injection.

Are these infections contagious?

Black fungus is not contagious and can't spread from one person to another. AIIMS Director Dr. Randeep Guleria earlier said that it is not contagious, adding that low immunity leads to black fungus. "About 90-95 percent of cases have diabetes and have been given steroids,” Guleria added.

Fungal infections usually spread when an individual inhales moulds found in the environment. While yellow fungus infections could also spread via high levels of humidity or presence of 

stale and contaminated food, poor hygiene and unclean conditions remain the main reasons for the infection.