2025 ICD-10-CM code A22.1
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Infectious and parasitic diseases - Certain zoonotic bacterial diseases Certain infectious and parasitic diseases Feed
Pulmonary anthrax, also known as Inhalation anthrax, Ragpicker's disease, or Woolsorter's disease.
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.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Occupational Medicine
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Office