Yellow Fungus Infection: Symptoms, Risks, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

PACE Hospitals

Yellow fungus disease is a serious fungal infection, and it can become deadly and fatal if not treated quickly at early stages. It can infect people when the immune system has been affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19), viral disease, immunodeficiency disorders, cancers, chronic disease, other medical conditions or people take medicines that suppress the immune system to fight illness. 60-80% of patients could die with it if not treated quickly at early stages.


Yellow fungus infection caused by fungi and molds are present in air throughout the environment, particularly in old rotting food, fecal matter. Proper disposal of faeces and old food items can prevent the fungus from spreading. Fungi that are otherwise harmless but can take advantage in people with weakened immune system and invade tissues.


Yellow fungus is not contagious disease, and it cannot transmit by direct or indirect contact between people or between people and animals.

What are the symptoms of Yellow fungus infection?

Yellow fungus disease can affect multiple organs and body parts. Symptoms depend upon the infection where the fungus growing in the body:


  • Loss of appetite
  • Fatigue or lethargy
  • Dramatic weight loss
  • Facial pain and swelling


Some of the severe symptoms that require immediate medical attention:


  • Sunken eyes due to infection
  • Organ failure
  • Slow healing of cuts and wounds
  • An accumulation of pus from the wounds
  • Necrosis (premature death of cells in living tissue)
Yellow fungus symptoms - warning emergency signs of the infection

What are prevention and precautions to lower the risk of Yellow fungus?

Yellow fungus is a fungal infection, it can be fatal and deadly as it begins internally; unlike the others where symptoms are visible. Currently, there is no vaccine to stop yellow fungus infection and patients who are Coronavirus positive or recently recovered from COVID-19 and have weakened immune system should follow these guidelines to prevent the risk.


  • Keep your home, room, and surroundings clean
  • Discard no longer fresh or good to eat food and fecal matter immediately to avoid bacterial and fungal growth
  • If you have had a stem cell transplant or organ transplant talk to your doctor for antifungal medication to prevent fungal infections.
  • Excessive humidity can cause bacteria and fungus growth, watch out the humidity of the room
  • Patients with Coronavirus (COVID-19), viral disease, immunodeficiency disorders, cancers, chronic disease should watch the symptoms and incase of any symptoms start medication to prevent the yellow fungus infection

What are the causes of Yellow fungus?

Poor hygiene is the main cause of yellow fungus infection. Apart from this uncontrolled diabetes, steroid treatment for medical conditions, weakened immune system, contaminated environment, bad hygiene and habits or dirty surroundings, co-morbidities potentially can cause fungal infection.


To avoid bacteria and fungus growth dispose old food items and fecal matter; keep your home, room, and surroundings as clean as possible. Also, excessive humidity can cause bacteria and fungus growth. Apart from these

What are treatment options of Yellow fungus infection?

Yellow fungus infection is a serious infectious disease, it can become fatal if not treated quickly.


  • Antifungal medicines - Amphotericin B to treat fungal infections.
  • Require a surgery to cut the infected tissue or parts.
  • Who are at risk of Yellow fungus infection?

    People those who suffering from Coronavirus (COVID-19), viral disease, immunodeficiency disorders, cancers, chronic disease, other medical conditions or people take medicines that suppress the immune system to fight illness are prone to develop Yellow fungus infection.

  • Why COVID-19 patients are getting infected by yellow fungus?

    Patients with Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease have increased level of inflammation and severe respiratory infection due to that body's immune system has been compromised. Due to poor hygiene bacteria and fungus take advantage of weakened immune system, invade tissues and infect the person resulting yellow fungus infection.

  • Is yellow fungus disease deadly?

    Yellow fungus infection, a serious fungal infection and can become deadly if not treated at early stages. Recently this disease found among the COVID-19 patients those who are currently taking treatment and have recovered recently from it.

  • Is a swollen eyes or partial loss of vision symptom of yellow fungus disease?

    Patients who are on COVID treatment or have recently recovered showing symptoms including a swollen eyelid is when either the lower or upper eyelid (or both) become enlarged, discharge from the eyes, paralysis of eyelid muscles, fever, nausea, vomiting, facial pain identified as yellow fungus infection.


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