Is my child's illness from dangerous closet mold?« Back to Previous Page

That is a very concerning situation, and your instinct to connect the mold and your son's health is correct. For a 4-year-old, prolonged exposure to mold from a leaking AC unit is a significant health risk. The constant humidity and condensation in Dubai's climate create an ideal environment for mold growth inside AC systems and on damp materials.

Your son's persistent cough and runny nose are classic symptoms of mold exposure, which can irritate the respiratory system and worsen or mimic allergy symptoms. You should take him to a pediatrician and explicitly mention the ongoing water leak and visible mold discovery in your home. This information is critical for their diagnosis.

Do not attempt to clean this yourself. Disturbing the mold can aerosolize spores, potentially worsening your son's exposure. The priority is to stop the source. A qualified HVAC technician must repair the AC leak immediately. Afterwards, a professional mold inspection is essential to assess the full extent of growth, which is often hidden inside the unit or wall cavity. They can perform targeted remediation to properly remove the contamination from your clothes and the structure, followed by verification testing to ensure the space is safe. Isolating the area and moving your son out of the room until remediation is complete is the safest course of action.