Mold Illnesses

"We are seeing that 30% of the U.S. population is afflicted with respiratory illnesses -- asthma, allergies or some sort of immunodeficiency," The health affects of mold are generally grouped in the following four categories. Numerous conditions including type and species of mold, exposure levels and methods, environmental conditions, individual sensitivities, etc. are all considered to be factors in the response.

• Irritation    For some people, the "moldy odor" can be irritating to mucous membranes, cause headaches and other symptoms. This odor comes from volatile organic compounds (VOC's) produced by mold as it degrades organic substrates and is generally considered one of the primary causes of irritation.                  
• Allergy        Allergic reactions are typically the most common health problem. Symptoms include respiratory problems and difficulty breathing, nasal and sinus congestion, burning/watery or reddened eyes, dry hacking cough, nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath, skin irritation, headaches, memory problems, mood changes, aches and pains, and possible fever.                      
• Infection        There are an estimated 100 species of mold known to cause infections in humans and immune suppressed individuals are especially at risk. Infections can be localized or systemic. Aspergillosis is a common fungal infection requiring hospitalization in the U.S.  Other fungi can infect hair, skin and nails.                      
• Toxicosis  Many species of mold produce toxic metabolites called mycotoxins which are believed to be most prevalent in spores (both living and dead spores). Mycotoxins are of special concern since some may present a greater hazard to humans than all other conditions including nerve damage, organ damage, and cancer. Symptoms of toxicosis from mold include cold and flu-like symptoms, headache, nosebleeds, memory problems, fatigue, dermatitis, immune suppression, etc.  

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    Reported Symptoms

• Respiratory problems
• Nasal & sinus congestion
• Burning, watery or reddened eyes
• Blurry vision or light sensitivity
• Dry, hacking cough
• Nose and throat irritation
• Shortness of breath
• Skin irritations
• Headache
• Memory problems
• Mood changes
• Aches & pains
• Nosebleeds
• Dermatitis
• Immune suppression
• Fatigue
• Chills/fever

As with any health issue, numerous causative agents can elicit similar symptoms; therefore, the presence of such symptoms is not exclusive to mold exposure.

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