Does Black Fungus Spread Through the Air?
- Dr. Koralla Raja Meghanadh
- Aug 4
- 2 min read
Yes, black fungus can spread through the air.
Mucor
Mucormycosis is an infection caused by fungi from the Mucor group, which are commonly found in the environment. Mucor spores are present in the air and enter our bodies regularly through breathing. However, these spores do not affect most people, as a healthy immune system can effectively fight them off. The infection primarily poses a risk to individuals with weakened immune systems or specific underlying health conditions.
Mucor is so prevalent that it can be seen as the brown or white mold on rotting vegetables and fruits. This highlights how widespread these fungi are in our surroundings, making daily exposure unavoidable.
Why Doesn’t Everyone Get Infected with Black Fungus?
Mucor spores are present in the air we breathe daily, yet mucormycosis remains a rare condition. This is because, in healthy individuals, the immune system effectively neutralizes these spores before they can cause any harm. However, when the immune system is weakened, these spores can overcome the body's natural defenses and lead to infection. Therefore, mucormycosis typically occurs only when a person's immune system is severely compromised.
How can a Person Get Black Fungus?
As said earlier, people with weakened immune systems only get black fungus. Here is a list of patients who can get black fungus:
Organ transplant patients on immune suppressants
Cancer patients on anti-cancer drugs
Immune deficiency syndromes Eg: AIDS
Patients who are on steroids for months
Uncontrolled diabetic patients
Post few viral infections like COVID-19.
Can Black Fungus Spread from One Person to Another?
No, black fungus (mucormycosis) does not spread from person to person. Even if transmission between individuals were possible, it would not make much difference because Mucor spores are already widespread in the environment. The infection primarily affects individuals with severely weakened immune systems or specific health conditions that compromise immunity. For most people, exposure to these spores poses no risk due to the body’s natural defenses.
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