Mucormycosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Mucormycosis?
An infectious disease doctor, a doctor who treats infections such as fungal infections, usually leads care for mucormycosis. A surgeon may also be needed to remove infected tissue. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is mucormycosis?
Mucormycosis is a serious but rare fungal infection. It is caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes. It is sometimes called zygomycosis.
These molds are common in the environment. Most people are exposed to them every day without getting sick. Usually, only people with weakened immune systems get mucormycosis. A weakened immune system means a lower ability to fight infections.
Mucormycosis can be deadly and needs treatment with antifungal medicine. It does not spread from person to person.
Symptoms
Mucormycosis symptoms depend on which part of the body is affected. It can affect the sinuses, brain, lungs, skin, stomach and intestines, or cause symptoms throughout the body. It most commonly affects the sinuses or the lungs.
A sign of mucormycosis is the rapid start of tissue death, called necrosis, with or without a fever.
Sinus and brain infection can cause:
- Swelling on one side of the face.
- Headaches.
- Stuffy nose or sinus pain.
- Fever.
- Black sores on the roof of the mouth or inside the nose.
As the infection spreads, a person may have a drooping eyelid, a bulging eye, or vision problems.
Lung infection can cause fever, cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Coughing up blood can also happen.
Skin infection often follows a burn or other skin injury. Skin infection can cause blisters. The area may be red, firm and swollen, and it can turn black.
Stomach and intestine infection can cause belly pain and swelling, nausea, and vomiting. Bleeding can also occur.
The infection can also spread through the body. The most common site of spread is the brain. The spleen, heart, skin, and other organs can also be affected.
Causes and who gets it
Mucormycosis is caused by molds in the order Mucorales. The most common ones belong to the Rhizopus group. These molds are often found in soil and in decaying matter such as leaves, compost piles, or rotten wood.
A person can get the infection by breathing in spores, eating something with spores on it, or from spores getting into a scrape or wound.
Mucormycosis mainly affects people with weakened immune systems and people with uncontrolled diabetes. Other things that raise the risk include:
- Severe COVID-19.
- Cancer.
- A stem cell or solid organ transplant.
- Long-term treatment with corticosteroids, which are steroid medicines.
- Too much iron in the body.
- Burns, wounds, or surgical wounds.
- Injecting drugs into a vein.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors may test for mucormycosis based on your medical history, risk factors, and physical signs and symptoms. They collect samples from the affected body part. These can be fluid from the lungs, nasal discharge or phlegm, or a small piece of affected skin or tissue, called a biopsy.
Doctors use imaging, such as a CT scan or an MRI, to check whether the infection is spreading to other parts of the body. No routine blood test for mucormycosis is available at this time.
Treatment
Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to prevent complications and death. Mucormycosis needs to be treated with prescription antifungal medicine right away.
The most common antifungals are amphotericin B, posaconazole, and isavuconazole. Some are given through a vein and some by mouth. Antifungal medicine is usually needed for several weeks.
Other antifungal medicines, including fluconazole, voriconazole, and echinocandins, do not work against the fungi that cause mucormycosis.
Sometimes surgery is needed to remove infected tissue and stop the fungus from spreading. Doctors should also try to control any condition that weakens the immune system, when possible.
When to see a doctor
Mucormycosis is serious and needs treatment right away. If you have a weakened immune system or diabetes, get medical care right away if you notice swelling on one side of your face, sinus pain, black sores inside your nose or on the roof of your mouth, or skin around a wound that turns black.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain that lasts for two minutes or more, coughing up blood, a sudden change in vision, or confusion.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can look at your symptoms and risk factors, and send you to a hospital or specialist when needed.
Common questions
Is mucormycosis contagious?
No. Mucormycosis does not spread from person to person.
Who is most at risk for mucormycosis?
People with weakened immune systems and people with uncontrolled diabetes are most at risk. Severe COVID-19 also raises the risk. So does long-term treatment with corticosteroids, which are steroid medicines.
How do doctors test for mucormycosis?
Doctors test a sample of fluid or tissue from the affected area. A laboratory looks at the sample under a microscope.
Can mucormycosis be treated?
Yes. It is treated with prescription antifungal medicine, and sometimes with surgery. Starting treatment early gives better outcomes.
Can mucormycosis be fatal?
Yes. The overall death rate is about 50%. Early treatment can lead to better outcomes.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
