Medical history (history of illness) is an important component in the diagnosis of gastroenteritis (stomach flu).
Family history
- What is the general health of your family members?
- Are there any diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in your family that are common?
Social history
- Do you live in a residential community or facility?
- Have you been abroad recently? If yes, where? (Stay in the tropics?)
Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).
- How long have you had diarrhea?
- Please indicate the frequency in the last 24 hours.
- Please describe the stool texture and volume.
- Do you have blood* and/or mucus in your stool?
- Do the symptoms occur in relation to food intake?
- Have you been vomiting?
- If yes – how many times in the last 24 hours?
- Do you have a fever?
- Do you suffer from accompanying abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, etc.?
- Do you have other complaints outside the digestive system?
- How has the amount you drink changed? (normal or decreased?)
- If infant: Is the child still breastfed?
Vegetative anamnesis incl. nutritional anamnesis.
- Are you underweight? Please indicate your body weight (in kg) and height (in cm).
- Has your appetite changed?
- Have you lost body weight unintentionally?
- Have you recently eaten raw foods (e.g., raw dairy products, undercooked meat or eggs)?
- Have you drunk apple juice or smoothies made from high-fructose fruits?
- Do you eat a balanced diet?
- Have you noticed any changes in urination (amount, appearance, odor)?
- Do you drink alcohol? If so, what drink(s) and how many glasses per day?
Self history incl. medication history.
- Pre-existing conditions (gastrointestinal diseases, infectious diseases, immunodeficiency).
- Operations
- Radiotherapy
- Allergies, food intolerances
Medication history
- Antibiotics – inadequate and untargeted antibiotic treatment can lead to a shift in the intestinal flora and subsequently to enteritis (inflammation of the intestine)
What drug interventions were performed in the last 24 hours?
- Glucose-electrolyte solutions [yes/no].
- Fever suppositories (for infants/children) [yes/no].
- What other measures have been taken?
* If this question has been answered with “Yes”, an immediate visit to the doctor is required! (Information without guarantee)
