Could hidden mold be causing our constant cough and fatigue?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing non-stop for the past month and I'm starting to panic. I just pulled our sofa away from the wall in our Deira apartment and found a huge patch of black mold hidden behind it, probably from a slow leak I never noticed. We’ve all been feeling more tired than usual and have constant stuffy noses. Could this mold be the cause of our health issues and what should I do first?
Posted by Majid Al-Mansour
Asked on April 22, 2026 12:40 am
Yes, hidden mold like you've described is a very common cause of the persistent cough, fatigue, and congestion your family is experiencing. In Dubai's humid climate, this is a frequent issue, especially from undetected leaks that create a perfect environment for mold growth behind furniture or within walls.

The first step is to stop the moisture source. Identify and repair that leak immediately. For a patch that large, do not attempt to clean it yourself, as disturbing it will release a massive amount of spores into your apartment's air. Your priority is to contain the area; avoid using the AC as it can spread spores throughout the entire unit and living space.

Given the severity of the symptoms and the size of the contamination, a professional inspection is strongly advised. They will assess the full extent of the growth, which often spreads deeper into walls than what's visible. A proper remediation plan for an apartment in Deira must also follow Dubai Municipality guidelines for containment and disposal to prevent cross-contamination to other units.

After remediation, the most critical step is verification. The only way to know the mold is truly gone and the air is safe is through post-remediation testing, typically involving air and surface samples analyzed by an accredited microbiology lab. This provides the concrete evidence you need for your peace of mind and your family's health.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 22, 2026 7:18 pm