Covid ‘perfect storm’ as more patients hit by fungal infections

Weakened lungs and immune systems make people increasingly vulnerable, warn scientistsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageA rash of cases of a rare “black fungus” infection affecting thousands of critically ill Covid patients in India caused alarm last month. Now scientists are warning that other dangerous or even deadly fungal infections have spawned in critically ill coronavirus patients globally, including in the UK.Fungi are ubiquitous – in soil, water, air, faeces and human skin. Usually, people ’s elaborate, adaptive immune systems are enough of a repellent but when that shield is weakened by disease, congenital conditions or age, they are far more vulnerable to microscopic assailants.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Infectious diseases Coronavirus Medical research Science World news Global health India UK news US news Microbiology South and Central Asia Fungi Source Type: news