Signs and symptoms of SBS
The main identifying observation for Sick building syndrome is an increased incidence of complaints of symptoms such as headache, eye, nose, and throat irritation, fatigue, and dizziness and nausea.
The signs and symptoms for SBS are sensory irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat. General health problems which are cause by neurotoxins, skin irritation, nonspecific hypersensitivity reactions, infectious diseases and both odor and taste sensations are additional signs which can be related to SBS. Poor lighting conditions can also led to general malaise.
Fungi and bacteria in the moist air of interior spaces can cause (EAA) extrinsic allergic alveolitis (a rare immune system disorder that affects the lungs). (EAA) or (HP) Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is an inflammation of the airspaces (alveoli) and small airways (bronchioles) within the lung, caused by hypersensitivity to inhaled organic dusts and molds. In 2017 a study was made which correlated several inflammatory diseases of the respiration tract with objective evidence of damp-caused damage in homes. Inflammations are part of the complex biological response of body tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants and are a protective response involving immune cells, blood vessels, and molecular mediators.
As more and more symptoms were correlated with the buildings we live and spend our times in the WHO started to classify these reported symptoms into broad categories. The categories include furthermore mucous membrane irritation (eye, nose, and throat irritation), neurotoxic effects (headaches, fatigue, and irritability), asthma and asthma-like symptoms (chest tightness and wheezing), skin dryness and irritation and gastrointestinal complaints. Although symptoms do not appear to be associated with SBS if just several sick occupants report individually the key to discovery is the increased incidence of illnesses in general with onset or exacerbation within a fairly close time frame. This will occur usually within a periodical timeframe of one week or some weeks. In most cases SBS symptoms will be relieved soon after the occupants leave the particular room or zone. There can be lingering effects of various neurotoxins which may not clear up when the occupant leaves the building though and in some cases there can be long-term health effects particularly in case of highly sensitized patients.
