põhialustega

põhialustega refers to the primary or main symptoms that characterise a particular disease or medical condition. The term is frequently used in clinical documentation, medical research and patient communication in Estonia to distinguish the most prominent clinical features from secondary or associated symptoms that may arise during the course of illness. Identifying the põhialused is essential for diagnostic accuracy, as they usually provide the initial clues that guide the selection of investigations and treatment plans. For example, the prosentile of patients with a viral infection may present with fever and sore throat as põhialused, while cough, shortness of breath and fatigue may be considered secondary manifestations that appear later.

In epidemiological studies the classification of symptoms into primary and secondary categories allows for clearer comparison of disease presentations across populations and facilitates the development of diagnostic criteria. Health care providers often list a set of põhialused in admission records, discharge summaries and clinical guidelines. In patient education materials, the emphasis on põhialused helps individuals recognise warning signs and seek timely care. The concept is also applied in comparative analyses of comorbid conditions, where overlapping secondary symptoms can obscure the underlying disease process. By consistently defining and recording põhialused, clinicians improve the quality of data, enhance interprofessional communication and ultimately contribute to more accurate disease surveillance and public health interventions.