Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of Ebola virus disease.
Family history
- What is the general health status of your family members?
Social history
- What is your profession?
- Have you been abroad recently? If yes, where exactly? [If travel abroad: see below travel history].
- Have you had contact with animals, sick persons?
Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).
- Do you have a fever? If so, what is the temperature? How long has the fever been present?
- Do you suffer from headaches, muscle aches, etc.?
- Have you noticed any skin changes?
- Have you noticed any bleeding?
- What other symptoms have you noticed?
Self history including medication history.
- Radiotherapy
- Vaccination status
- Allergies
- Environmental history
Travel history
- Have you been in contact with dead apes or eaten ape meat in Central Africa or West Africa?
- Have you eaten “bushmeat” in Central Africa or West Africa?
- Have you been in caves or dwellings where bats nest?
- Have you had contact with possible Ebola/Marburg patients (i.e., especially medical personnel from hospitals in Central Africa).