Numerous students living at 575 Commonwealth Ave. are speculating that mold in the building has caused a number of residents to become sick, but Boston University officials said the illnesses could stem from a variety of causes.

College of Arts and Sciences freshman Melissa Krajewski, as well as other students living in the HoJo, have complained about chronic headaches, nasal drainage, coughing and trouble sleeping. Krajewski said decongestants and allergy medications have helped somewhat, but she still does not feel entirely healthy.

She said that ‘no one has been feeling well’ in HoJo.

‘I have friends who have missed class and gone to the doctor numerous times because of this,’ Krajewski said.

Karyn Johnson, area director for the residence more commonly known as the HoJo, said she has received ‘two or three reports of rooms in the building having mold on the walls.’

Johnson said she notified Buildings ‘ Grounds, which then washed the mold with bleach detergent and water and painted over the mold.

B’G recently conducted a general inspection of the building, and Johnson said she is ‘confident’ that mold has not gotten into the ventilation system because it would have been found.

Johnson said this is the first year she has heard any complaints about mold in a room.

‘This is an old building,’ Johnson said, ‘but I think students are happy here.’

Johnson said she has heard about some of the dorm’s 450 students getting sick, but speculated that midterm stress may be a more likely culprit than the mold. She encouraged students to report any problems relating to mold to her office so she can take care of them immediately.

Krajewski said she started feeling sick as soon as she moved into 575 in August, leading her to believe something in the residence caused her illness.

‘At first I thought it was my allergies, but it’s too cold for that now,’ Krajewski said. ‘It has to be something in the vents.’

CAS sophomore Kimberly Cotten said she has visited the doctor five times since moving into 575 complaining of allergy-like symptoms.

‘I’ve been sick for two-and-a-half months,’ Cotten said. ‘All three of my roommates have gotten sick since we’ve been to school.’

Cotten, who suffers from asthma and has an allergy to mold, said her sickness has grown increasingly worse since moving into the HoJo. Along with steroids and medication for allergies, she has also bought an air purifier because she believes the air is making her sick.

‘BU needs to fix the problem,’ Cotten said. ‘It’s their job to keep our dorms mold-free.’

Johnson said after Cotten’s mother contacted her about the mold within the last month, she investigated the matter and had B’G treat the walls and change the air filter. However, Cotten maintains that the building is still making her sick.

According to this mold clean up company, mold can be a serious health concern, creating asthma-related problems, rashes and even lesions, and signs of mold exposure include cold and flu-like symptoms.

The website says moisture in the air causes mold, which can be transmitted through moving air flows.

Officials from Student Health Services refused to comment about the mold or possible sicknesses associated with it, and Director of Housing Marc Robillard said he had not heard anything about the mold before Tuesday.