If the diagnosis is not clear and time allows, a general review of different body systems can help identify additional symptoms. The patient should be asked about problems related to various parts of the body. This includes any history of head injuries or severe headaches, visual problems such as blurred or double vision, eye pain or yellowing of the eyes, hearing loss, dizziness, ear pain or discharge, nasal issues like bleeding or blockage, and mouth problems such as sores or difficulty swallowing.

The neck should be checked for stiffness, enlarged glands, or tenderness. Respiratory symptoms such as cough, the nature of sputum, coughing up blood, chest pain during breathing, or shortness of breath should be assessed. Cardiac symptoms including chest pain, swelling of the legs, breathlessness during activity or while lying flat, rapid heartbeat, and any history of heart disease or high blood pressure should also be noted.

Gastrointestinal symptoms such as poor appetite, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, jaundice, abdominal pain, or blood in stool or vomit should be reviewed. Genito-urinary symptoms include pain during urination, back pain, frequent urination, difficulty passing urine, or blood or pus in urine. Neurological symptoms such as weakness, paralysis, convulsions, or seizures should also be assessed.

Family and Social History

The patient should be asked whether any family members have suffered from diseases such as diabetes, tuberculosis, heart disease, or cancer, as these conditions may have relevance to the patient’s current illness. Information about lifestyle habits, including alcohol consumption and tobacco use, should also be obtained. If chronic alcohol use is suspected, the date of the last alcohol intake should be recorded, since serious complications such as delirium tremens may occur several days after stopping alcohol.