TRICHY: Allaying fears about black fungus infection among the vulnerable group of recovered Covid-19 patients, doctors have advised them not to panic but to monitor their sugar level everyday. “Unusual increase in blood sugar level is a key risk factor of mucormycosis. Hence, diabetic patients who have recovered from Covid-19, being a high risk group, must monitor their bloodsugar levels at least three times a day, and for up to six months post recovery,” said chairman, Meenakshi Hospital, Thanjavur Dr S Gurushankar. Stating that the infection will present itself on the seventh or tenth day after recovery from Covid-19, ENT specialist Dr Issac Richards said unilateral headache, especially at night, unilateral facial pain, facial swelling, numbness, greenish-yellowish nasal discharge, blood-stained or blackish are initial symptoms. Later symptoms include unilateral eye swelling, protruding of eyeballs , drooping of eyelids (ptosis), double vision (diplopia), loss of vision, blackish discoloration over bridge of nose/palate, loss of teeth, jaw involvement, loss of vision in both eyes, and stroke. Raised awareness levels have led to more patients turning up for consultation early. The infection can spread slowly or as fast as in 48 hours, he said adding that recovery will be high if the patient gets treatment at the early stage.