Possibly the first case of 'Green Fungus’ has been reported in a COVID-recovered patient in the city of Indore in Madhya Pradesh.

Dr Ravi Dosi, head of the Department of Chest Diseases, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences (SAIMS) told PTI that the man, who had recovered from COVID-19, underwent a test on suspicion that he had contracted the dreaded black fungus infection (mucormycosis).

Instead he was found to have Green fungus, also known as Aspergillosis, which is an infection caused by a common mold (a type of fungus) that lives indoors and outdoors. Most people breathe in Aspergillus spores every day without getting sick. It may cause nose bleeding and high fever.

Also read: Black Fungus Infection: Panic Rising Among Covid Patients

Green fungus is the newest infection to join earlier reported cases of black, white and yellow fungus even after AIIMS chief Randeep Guleria warned against creating "confusion" with fungus colours last month, reported NDTV.

The 34-year-old patient, who battled Covid for two months before experiencing severe nosebleeds and fever, was suspected to have contracted the deadly Black Fungus or mucormycosis.  However, after tests, it was found that she has contracted 'Green Fungus' - an infection that had earlier been seen only as a "junior partner" in other cases, Dr Dosi said.

He added that the fungus, that is acting as an aggressor in possibly the first reported case in the country, has affected the patient's lungs, sinuses and blood.

Read India battles fatal fungal threat as virus deaths near 300K

"The patient underwent Covid treatment for around two months. He went home and around 10-15 days started experiencing nosebleeds and fever. He came in for tests and we found that he is infected with 'Green Fungus'," Dr Dosi said.

The doctor added that the medication for 'Green Fungus' is different from Black Fungus. He also added that 'colour coding' of the various types of viruses must be done.

AIIMS Delhi chief Dr Guleria had last month warned against the "confusion" created by giving fungal infection different colours based on how they infected the body after reports emerged of the first case of 'Yellow Fungus' in the country.

Also read: Black fungus detected in patient at DMCH

"Naming the same fungus based on its colours, depending on the area of infection, creates confusion," he said.

Black Fungus - the first of the coloured infections to be reported - is rare but is potentially fatal and has been declared an epidemic. 

The newest disease is an Aspergillosis infection, and more research was needed on the fungus, Dr Dosi,  head of the Department of Chest Diseases at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences (SAIMS) in Indore said.

Aspergillosis is an extremely uncommon infection and affects the lungs.

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