Past medical history should particularly cover the following: Recent surgery Known conditions that predispose to infection (eg, HIV infection, diabetes, cancer, organ transplantation, sickle cell disease, valvular heart disorders—particularly if an artificial valve is present) Other known disorders that predispose to fever (eg, rheumatologic disorders, systemic lupus erythematosus, gout, sarcoidosis, hyperthyroidism, cancer) Questions to ask about recent travel include location, time since return, locale (eg, in back country, only in cities), vaccinations received before travel, and any use of prophylactic antimalarial drugs (if required).