Hepatitis C: Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of hepatitis C.

Family history

  • What is the general health of your family members?

Social history

  • What is your profession?
  • In the last six months, have you traveled to countries with high prevalence of hepatitis (clustered) and had sexual contact with local people there?

Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).

  • Have you noticed symptoms such as fatigue or general feeling of illness?
  • Do you have a feeling of pressure in the upper abdomen?
  • Do you suffer from nausea?
  • Do you suffer from joint pain?
  • Do you have a fever? If so, for how long and how high is the fever?
  • Have you noticed any yellowing of the skin/eyes?
  • In what temporal order did the symptoms occur?

Vegetative anamnesis including nutritional anamnesis.

  • Have you had close contact with persons suffering from hepatitis?
  • Do you have frequent unprotected sexual intercourse with changing partners (gay and/or straight)?
  • Have you had
    • Consumed drugs that are injected into the vein.
    • Pierce ear hole
    • Piercings
    • Tattoos
  • Has your appetite changed?
  • Have you noticed any changes in bowel movements and/or urine (frequency, quantity, color)?
  • Do you smoke? If so, how many cigarettes, cigars, or pipes per day?
  • Do you drink alcohol? If yes, what drink(s) and how many glasses per day?
  • Do you use drugs? If yes, what drugs and how often per day or per week?

Self history incl. medication history.

  • Pre-existing conditions (infectious diseases)
  • Operations
  • Vaccination status
  • Allergies

Medication history

  • Blood products
  • Dialysis