1. Irritation:
Moldy odor can irritate mucous membranes and cause headaches along with various other symptoms.
2. Allergy
About 5% of individuals are predicted to have some allergic airway symptoms from molds over their lifetime. Symptoms include respiratory problems, 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.
3. Infection
Estimated to be over 100 species of mold to cause infections in humans, immune suppressed individuals are especially at risk. Aspergillosis is an extremely common fungal infection requiring hospitalization.
4. Toxicosis
Known to be prevalent in spores, many species of mold produce toxic metabolites called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins should not be taken lightly as they pose a great hazard to humans. They have caused nerve damage, organ damage, and in some cases even cancer. Symptoms of toxicosis include flu-like symptoms, headache, nosebleeds, memory problems, fatigue, dermatitis, and immune suppression.