Start New EnglishEspañol中文РусскийالعربيةTiếng ViệtFrançaisDeutsch한국어Tagalog Library Performance

2025 ICD-10-CM code A22.1

Pulmonary anthrax, also known as Inhalation anthrax, Ragpicker's disease, or Woolsorter's disease.

Use additional code to identify resistance to antimicrobial drugs (Z16.-). Exclude certain localized infections (see body system-related chapters) and carrier status (Z22.-).

Medical necessity for treatment of pulmonary anthrax is established by the presence of clinical signs and symptoms consistent with the diagnosis and confirmed by laboratory tests. Due to the severity and potential fatality of the disease, prompt treatment is crucial.

The provider diagnoses pulmonary anthrax based on history, physical examination, and laboratory tests of blood, spinal fluid, respiratory secretions, or skin specimens to detect B. anthracis toxins. Chest X-rays or CT scans may also be performed. Treatment includes antibiotics and antitoxins.

In simple words: Pulmonary anthrax is a serious lung infection caused by breathing in spores of the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. It can cause a range of flu-like symptoms, and if left untreated, can be fatal.

Pulmonary anthrax is a rare but potentially fatal infection that affects the respiratory system. It is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which typically spreads in the human body as spores inhaled while breathing, ingested with contaminated water and food, or enters through a cut in the skin. A patient with pulmonary anthrax can experience fever and chills, nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, headache, profuse sweating, lethargy, confusion, cough, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and body ache. In severe and untreated cases, the patient may even die.

Example 1: A farmer working with livestock inhales B. anthracis spores and develops pulmonary anthrax, presenting with fever, cough, and shortness of breath., A laboratory worker accidentally inhales B. anthracis spores while handling samples, leading to pulmonary anthrax with severe respiratory distress., An individual exposed to a bioterrorism attack involving B. anthracis develops pulmonary anthrax, requiring intensive antibiotic and antitoxin treatment.

Documentation should include exposure history, signs and symptoms, laboratory results confirming B. anthracis infection, imaging findings (if applicable), and treatment details.

** Only Enterprise users with EHR integration can access case-specific answers. Click here to request access.

Discover what matters.

iFrame™ AI's knowledge is aligned with and limited to the materials uploaded by users and should not be interpreted as medical, legal, or any other form of advice by iFrame™.