2025 ICD-10-CM code A37
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis.
Medical necessity for whooping cough treatment is established by the diagnosis, confirmed through clinical presentation and laboratory testing. The severity of symptoms, the patient's age, and the potential for complications further support the medical necessity of treatment.
Diagnosis of whooping cough is typically based on clinical presentation, which includes a persistent cough, particularly with paroxysmal fits, and a whooping sound during inhalation. Laboratory tests, such as nasopharyngeal cultures and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, can confirm the diagnosis. Treatment primarily involves antibiotics, particularly macrolides like azithromycin or erythromycin. Supportive care may be necessary, particularly for infants and young children who may experience complications such as apnea, pneumonia, and seizures.
In simple words: Whooping cough is a very contagious disease that causes bad coughing fits. It can be very serious for babies and young children. It starts like a cold, but the cough gets much worse and can last for weeks or even months. Sometimes, you hear a "whooping" sound when the person breathes in after coughing. It's important to get vaccinated against whooping cough.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis or the 100-day cough, is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. It is characterized by severe coughing fits followed by a "whooping" sound upon inhalation. The disease can affect individuals of any age but poses the most serious risks to infants and young children. Symptoms typically begin with a runny nose, sneezing, mild fever, and mild cough, progressing to uncontrollable coughing fits that may induce vomiting, difficulty breathing, and exhaustion.
Example 1: A 6-month-old infant presents with a cough, runny nose, and low-grade fever for the past week. The cough has worsened, occurring in paroxysmal fits, followed by a "whooping" sound on inspiration. The infant also experiences episodes of apnea. A nasopharyngeal swab is positive for Bordetella pertussis, confirming the diagnosis of whooping cough., A 15-year-old adolescent presents with a persistent cough for several weeks. Initially, the cough was mild, but it has progressed to severe paroxysms, particularly at night. Although the characteristic "whoop" is not prominent, the adolescent reports vomiting after coughing fits. Given the clinical suspicion of whooping cough, a PCR test is performed, which confirms the diagnosis., A 30-year-old adult presents with a persistent cough for over two months. The cough occurs in intense spells, causing exhaustion and difficulty breathing. The individual does not recall a "whooping" sound but reports facial redness and occasional vomiting after coughing. A Bordetella pertussis culture confirms the diagnosis of whooping cough, highlighting the persistence of the disease in adults.
Documentation for whooping cough should include the following: Duration and nature of cough (paroxysmal, whooping sound), presence of other symptoms (runny nose, fever, vomiting), laboratory test results (culture, PCR), and treatment provided (antibiotics, supportive care).
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital,Telehealth Provided in Patient’s Home, Telehealth Provided Other than in Patient’s Home