Which symptoms are associated with Sick Building Syndrome?

• A. Fever and chills
• B. Eye, skin, and airway irritation; headache; fatigue.
• C. Chronic cough due to smoking
• D. Skin rash from outdoor pollen

Answer: (B)

The main concept here is the pattern of symptoms linked to Sick Building Syndrome, which are nonspecific and closely tied to time spent in an indoor environment rather than a specific illness. Symptoms like eye, skin, and airway irritation along with headache and fatigue are classic for SBS because they reflect irritants and indoor air quality issues—things like inadequate ventilation, chemical contaminants, humidity problems, or mold. These complaints tend to improve or disappear after people leave the building, supporting an indoor-environment link.

In contrast, fever and chills point to an infection or systemic illness, a chronic cough from smoking comes from tobacco exposure and chronic lung effects, and a skin rash from outdoor pollen is an allergic reaction to outdoor allergens. None of these fit the typical SBS pattern of nonspecific, time-in-building-related symptoms that improve away from the indoor environment.