sjukdomsfall

Sjukdomsfall is a term used in epidemiology and public health to denote a single instance of disease in an individual that is reported to health authorities. The term is used to count and monitor illness within a population over a defined period, and it applies to cases of notifiable diseases as well as other diagnosed illnesses that meet the authorities’ criteria.

Public health agencies establish case definitions to classify a sjukdomsfall as suspected, probable, or confirmed. A confirmed case often requires laboratory verification or definitive clinical criteria; a probable case may rely on symptoms and epidemiological linkage; a suspected case is based on clinical presentation pending further evidence. These classifications help standardize reporting and enable meaningful comparisons across time and places.

Data on sjukdomsfall are used to estimate incidence, observe trends, detect outbreaks, plan health service needs, and guide control measures and risk communication. Not every person with illness is counted; only those who meet the case definition or are reported for a notifiable disease are included. The specifics of what constitutes a sjukdomsfall can vary by disease, country, and health authority.

Terminology and practices differ internationally, so surveillance reports define the exact criteria they use for counting sjukdomsfall. In many countries, including those with standardized public health systems, the term is linked to routine monitoring of disease activity and is a key element in assessing public health risks and directing response efforts.