A person was exposed to mould in an office and they have developed bad breath which they didn’t have before. Could this be due to mould infection in their lungs? This is not a ‘yes/no’ question because whatever answer one gives should be supported with facts derived from documented evidence or tests conducted to such as person by a qualified person. The first answer that came to my mind was to say no. But then I realized there is still a lot that is not known about mould and their health effects. I was imagining that if mould was actively growing in somebody’s lungs to the level of causing or producing odour, such a person would be critically ill. But my thinking is not based on any facts. It is just thinking.

The most well known lung mould infection is aspergillosis caused by some species of Aspergillus (hence the name aspergillosis). Moulds that are known to cause aspergillosis are Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus and occasionally Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus nidulans, and Aspergillus niger. These moulds are widespread in the environment. They are found in soil, decomposing organic matter, household dust, building materials, and air. The people at risk of infection by these moulds are mainly those undergoing certain medical treatments that affect their immune system. In these people the disease is manifested as invasive pulmonary infection, usually with fever, cough, and chest pain. In healthy people, the disease is manifested as localized pulmonary infection. Aspergillus species also cause allergic reactions.



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