2025 ICD-10-CM code A04.1
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Infectious and parasitic diseases - Intestinal infectious diseases Certain infectious and parasitic diseases Feed
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infection
Medical necessity for treatment is based on the severity of symptoms, particularly dehydration, and the presence of complicating factors like a weakened immune system.Justification for antibiotic use should be documented if employed.
Diagnosis and treatment of ETEC infection typically involves assessment of symptoms, stool testing (though not always reliable for ETEC), and management of dehydration through fluid replacement.Antibiotics may be necessary in severe cases, with selection based on susceptibility testing if possible.
In simple words: Traveler's diarrhea caused by a specific type of E. coli bacteria, called ETEC, found in contaminated food or water. It causes watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, and sometimes vomiting. Usually resolves on its own with supportive care like fluids, but in severe cases may require antibiotics.
Infection caused by the bacterium Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC).ETEC produces toxins that cause gastroenteritis, commonly known as traveler's diarrhea.Symptoms include watery diarrhea (without blood or mucus), stomach cramps, vomiting, sometimes fever, and possible dehydration.
Example 1: A 25-year-old returning from a trip to Mexico presents with watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, and vomiting for the past two days.Stool culture is ordered but results are pending and they are diagnosed with presumed traveler's diarrhea. , A 4-year-old child in a developing country experiences severe watery diarrhea and dehydration. Limited laboratory resources prevent definitive testing.Given prevalence in this setting they are presumed to have ETEC with urgent clinical needs for rehydration., A 60-year-old with a compromised immune system develops persistent watery diarrhea after consuming contaminated food at a local restaurant.Stool testing confirms ETEC infection and they require hospitalization for IV fluids and antibiotic treatment.
Symptoms (diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, fever), travel history, duration of illness, severity of dehydration, laboratory results (if available), treatment provided (fluids, antibiotics).
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Gastroenterology, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Travel Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Telehealth Provided in Patient’s Home, Telehealth Provided Other than in Patient’s Home