Doctors issue warning over hidden health danger lurking in college dorms

With college students once again starting up the school year, plenty of parents are worried about the perils of alcohol poisoning, drugs — even STDs.But there’s another health threat that may be hiding in plain sight.In fact, in the past year alone, multiple lawsuits have been brought against colleges and universities over the potential for poisoning inside students’ own dorms — and experts tell The Post it’s getting worse.The stealth danger? Mold poisoning, which can cause everything from a stuffy nose and headaches to cognitive issues and kidney damage.In July, 48 students sued Dallas Baptist University, alleging that the school knowingly housed students in mold-contaminated residence halls.At Sewanee University of the South, students filed a $35 million suit alleging that the mold growing there caused asthma and nosebleeds.

Similar cases were seen at Lipscomb University and Spring Hill College.And the problem is only increasing — especially on college campuses, where conditions can create a perfect storm for mold to grow.“High humidity, poor maintenance, contaminated air conditioning systems, hygiene issues and rampant leaks make this problem an epidemic on college campuses,” Dr.Alan W.

Gruning, President and Medical Director of the International Center for Health and Wellness, told The Post.“This is especially true on older, more prestigious campuses.”He noted that this “huge issue” is “getting worse over time as the buildings age and more hurricanes and flooding occur.”And it can be tough to catch, since symptoms like recurring colds and headaches are often chalked up to “dorm flu” — a combination of infection passing between people, late nights, and academic stress.

That’s a big reason why “severe infestations can go unresolved for months,” explained Dr.Racheal Onah, a consulting physician at RealTime Labs.Mold is always present, and for many people, exposure doesn’t have any health impact.

But for others others, O...