A history of prior acute infections, particularly a history of pneumonia, respiratory infections persisting 6 weeks or more, and sexually acquired infections; prior antibiotic treatment, and the type and duration of antibiotics taken; health issues in household members and other close contacts; and contact with pets and domesticated animals, including the health of the animals, should be included in the history of patients with newly diagnosed chronic disease.

A more detailed history could aid medicine in identifying triggering events, and infectious pathogens and parasites causing chronic disease; identifying emerging chlamydia pathogens; and understanding the root causes of chronic disease.