Should I take my coughing kids to the doctor for mold?« Back to Previous Page
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My kids have been coughing non-stop for the past two weeks and we can't figure out why. I finally pulled out the sofa in our living room to look behind it and found a huge patch of black mold on the wall, probably from a hidden AC leak. The musty smell is really strong up close. **Should I get them to a doctor immediately or will the symptoms clear up on their own once we clean the mold?**
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Based on what you've described, yes, you should absolutely have your children seen by a doctor as soon as possible. Persistent coughing for two weeks is a significant symptom, and the discovery of a "huge patch" of black mold with a strong musty odor confirms a serious indoor air quality issue. The symptoms are unlikely to clear up on their own while the source of the exposure remains.
The type of mold is critical. What people commonly call "black mold" could be Stachybotrys chartarum, which produces mycotoxins and is associated with more severe health effects, particularly in children, the elderly, or those with respiratory conditions like asthma. A doctor can assess their symptoms, which may include allergic reactions, respiratory irritation, or even mycotoxicosis, and provide appropriate treatment. Crucially, do NOT attempt to clean this yourself. Disturbing a large growth without proper containment and PPE will aerosolize the spores, drastically increasing the concentration in the air your family breathes and spreading the contamination throughout your home. This is a job for professionals. In the UAE, AC leaks are a primary cause of hidden mold growth due to our high humidity. Our certified inspectors use moisture meters, thermal imaging cameras, and air/o-surface sampling to identify the full extent of the problem, including inside the AC unit and ductwork, which is often necessary to comply with Dubai Municipality's public health and safety standards. For a situation this severe, a full remediation plan is needed. Please, get your kids checked out and then call us immediately to schedule a comprehensive inspection. We can assess the damage and provide a clear scope and cost for safe, effective remediation. Call us at 800-MOLDS or 800-66537 to speak with an expert today. |
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