Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of sick building syndrome.
Family history
Social history
- Is there any evidence of psychosocial stress or strain due to your family situation?
Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).
- What are your presenting symptoms?
- Irritation of the mucous membrane in the nasopharynx.
- Eye burning
- Chronic rhinitis
- Hoarseness
- Respiratory infections and coughs such as bronchitis
- Worsening of pre-existing respiratory conditions such as bronchial asthma
- Allergic reactions
- Dry skin
- Itching
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Weakened immune system with frequent infectious diseases
- Reduction in performance
- Concentration disorders
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Sensory disturbances in the extremities
- Vague pain
- When and in what setting do these symptoms occur?
- How long have you lived/worked in this building?
- Do you ventilate regularly?
- Do you live near gas stations and small businesses?
- Do you heat excessively?
- Are you exposed to excessive noise?
- Are you exposed to strong odors?
- Do you suspect which substance triggers your symptoms?
Vegetative anamnesis incl. nutritional anamnesis.
Self anamnesis incl. medication anamnesis
- Pre-existing conditions
- Operations
- Allergies
- Medication history
Environmental history
Indoor pollutants contained in:
- Floor coverings
- Insulation materials
- Damping
- Sealants
- Printers
- Electrical appliances
- Colors
- Humidity
- Wood preservative coatings
- Hydrophobic measures
- Air conditioning systems
- Varnishes
- Furniture
- Pest control products (insecticides against insects; acaricides against mites and other arachnids; rodenticides against rodents; larvicides against the larvae of insects and mites).
- Molds – mycotoxins (mycophenolic acid, sterigmatocystin, trichothecenes) from molds that spread on wallpaper in buildings and are detectable in the air we breathe:
- Aspergillus versicolor (most common indoor mold).
- Penicillium brevicompactum
- Stachybotrys chartarum
- Putties
- Dusting
- Carpeting
- Carpet adhesives