title: Obtaining an exposure history. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. United States department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Atlanta, Georgia.
abstract: Because many environmental diseases either manifest as common medical problems or have nonspecific symptoms, an exposure history is vital for correct diagnosis. The primary care physician can--by obtaining a thorough exposure history--play an important role in detecting, treating and preventing diseases caused by toxic exposure. The exposure history consists of three parts: exposure survey, which includes information about current and past exposure, and health and safety practices at work; work history, including all past jobs and military service; and environmental history, which includes information about the home environment.
mesh_terms: D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D004782:Environmental Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*