Yes, mold exposure is one of the many potential causes of a fever, sore throat, feeling under the weather, and other allergy-like symptoms.
That’s not just something that local homeowners tell us, but that the CDC and Mayo Clinic warn of.
Mold causes “allergies, coughing, sneezing, and eye/throat irritation” – University of Florida
Our own University of Florida says, “Short-term exposure to mold will cause allergic reactions or allergy-related symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing, headaches, and eye/throat irritation.” 1
“Sneezing, runny/stuffy nose, cough, itchy eyes, nose and throat are mold allergy symptoms” — Mayo Clinic
“Symptoms caused by a mold allergy can include: Sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, cough and postnasal drip, itchy eyes, nose and throat; watery eyes, dry, itchy skin.” “Mold allergy symptoms vary from person to person and range from mild to severe. You might have year-round symptoms or symptoms that flare up only during certain times of the year. You might notice symptoms when the weather is damp or when you’re in indoor or outdoor spaces that have high concentrations of mold.” 2
“Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all.” – U.S. CDC
“For some people, mold can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash…. For people who are sensitive to molds exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Severe reactions, such as fever or shortness of breath, may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay.” 3
Tampa Bay is humid and mold is a common concern for homeowners here.
When residents start feeling under the weather, they wonder whether mold exposure can actually cause a fever or a sore throat.
The short answer is yes, mold exposure can cause a sore throat and—in more specific or severe cases— may contribute to a fever.
But the exact way that mold affects the body varies depending on each person’s sensitivity and the extent of their exposure to mold.
Can Mold Cause a Sore Throat?
Yes. A sore or “scratchy” throat is one of the more common symptoms of mold exposure, typically categorized as an allergic reaction or an irritant response.
- The U.S. CDC explicitly lists a sore throat as a symptom of mold sensitivity. “For people sensitive to molds, mold exposure can cause symptoms such as a stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people…may have more intense reactions… [including] fever and shortness of breath.”
- The Mayo Clinic says that mold allergy symptoms can often mimic hay fever, including “sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, cough and postnasal drip, itchy eyes, nose and throat.”
Can Mold Cause a Fever?
Yes, but it is less common. While a sore throat is a frequent “allergic” response, a fever typically indicates a more intense immune response.
- The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) says mold can cause “hay fever-type symptoms.” While “hay fever” doesn’t usually cause a high temperature, the EPA clarifies that more serious reactions can occur: “Allergic reactions…can include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash… [and] can also cause asthma attacks.”
- According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a fever can occur if a person develops Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP)—an immune system disorder where the lungs become inflamed after breathing in certain dusts, including mold spores. Symptoms of acute HP include fever, chills, and a cough.
- Infection vs. Allergy: It’s important to note that while mold allergies don’t usually cause fevers, mold can cause fungal infections (like fungal sinusitis) in immunocompromised individuals, which frequently results in a fever.
Why Tampa Bay Homeowners Should Care
In Florida, our high humidity levels provide the perfect breeding ground for mold. The University of Florida (IFAS Extension) warns that indoor mold growth is a significant contributor to “Sick Building Syndrome,” where occupants experience acute health effects, including throat irritation, that appear to be linked to time spent in a building.
While we are not doctors and this is not intended as personal or health advice, we’ve had a number of concerned homeowners tell us they believed mold caused their sore throat and that feeling of fever, and that it was resolved for them after proper mold remediation.
We’ve also had many local doctors suggest that their patients consider whether mold and mildew are a problem at home — the problem being that if there are allergenic, pathogenic, or even toxigenic spores hidden in the space you spend the most time every day, they’re likely to cause some adverse reaction, even if that reaction varies from person to person.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you’re experiencing a persistent or enexplained sore throat or fever, consult a doctor of course. But remember that mold might be a factor, and that’s something you can speak to your doctor about as well.
Do You Feel Better at the Beach or Park?
One fairly obvious tell—according to our own experience and a number of prominent medical doctors in the space, including Dr. Jill Crista, the author of “Break the Mold,” is whether these symptoms get better or mitigate when you leave home for a while, only to worsen when back at home.
The confined and often stagnant air inside of a home might be the problem (or a symptom of it rather, the actual problem being the many microscopic mold spores, mycotoxins, and VOCs that are a byproduct of mold.)
Tampa Bay’s humidity makes mold growth almost inevitable after water damage or A/C failure, in which case proper and thorough mold remediation that locates and resolves the root cause is the way to ensure your indoor air quality is safe again.
- University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), “Mold Management in the Home,” October 30, 2024. ↩︎
- Mayo Clinic Staff, “Mold Allergy,” August 11, 2025 ↩︎
- U.S. CDC, “Mold,” September 26, 2024 ↩︎
