Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Physiological - Other
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Aircraft; Human Factors
After takeoff Aft Flight attendant called to inform us of a cabin odor. This was the first flight of the day and it rained all night so we thought it might dissipate after a short time. We leveled at FL190 and were in need of Engine Heat. With that the smell returned and was stronger. We could smell it in the cockpit; my eyes started to burn and the First Officer said he had a headache. We did the QRH procedure. Informed the dispatcher via ACARS. Our destination was so we proceeded to destination. Short hold for sequence then landed. At the gate I met with the crew and all of us had symptoms; so we called EMS to evaluate our conditions; which led to a trip to the hospital for checkup. EMS personnel entered the aircraft at the gate and had to leave because of burning eyes and throat. Evaluation dictated not to fly for 2 days. I've had cabin odor before but this was the worst by far.
After the 10;000 feet level off announcement I went towards the back of the aircraft to begin the service. 1/2 way down the aisle I smelled a strong 'dirty sock' odor which got stronger as I got closer to the back galley. The 'B' flight attendant asked if I smelled the odor; which I confirmed. 'A' flight attendant was notified who in turn notified the flight deck. Over the course of maybe the next 15-20 minutes the smell subsided somewhat. (Never completely went away); but 1/2 way through the flight the odor came back even stronger than initially; this time more irritating. The flight deck was notified again by the 'A' flight attendant. This time they stated it was noted in the cockpit as well.  I developed a headache and sore throat and eyes. Very strong pungent 'dirty sock' odor in cabin during takeoff (it dissipated somewhat-never went away-just lessened) but came back even stronger midway through the flight. Do not know the cause or how to prevent such an occurrence.
A319 flight crew and flight attendants detected a foul odor during takeoff and in flight. The odor subsided initially then returned even stronger. The flight continued to destination where the crew was taken to a hospital for evaluation and released.