2025 ICD-10-CM code A39.3
(Valid) Effective Date: N/A Certain infectious and parasitic diseases - Other bacterial diseases (A30-A49) 1 Feed
Chronic meningococcemia, a rare form of meningococcal sepsis.
Medical necessity for services related to A39.3 is established by the diagnosis of chronic meningococcemia, a serious bacterial infection requiring appropriate medical intervention.The need for diagnostic testing, antibiotic treatment, and other supportive care should be clearly documented.
Clinicians diagnose chronic meningococcemia based on patient history, physical examination findings (including assessment of skin and joints), and laboratory tests such as blood cultures, skin biopsies, and potentially cerebrospinal fluid analysis if meningitis is suspected. Treatment decisions, including antibiotic selection and duration, are the responsibility of the treating clinician.
In simple words: Chronic meningococcemia is a rare, long-lasting bacterial infection in the bloodstream. It's caused by the same bacteria that can cause meningitis, but it doesn't always involve the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms come and go and can include fever, chills, tiredness, aches, and skin rashes.Antibiotics are usually effective in treating the infection.
Chronic meningococcemia is a rare clinical presentation of meningococcal disease characterized by a persistent, prolonged blood infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis.It is marked by intermittent or continuous fever, chills, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and skin manifestations ranging from macules and papules to nodules and petechiae. It can sometimes mimic the symptoms of subacute gonococcemia. While patients may recover spontaneously,systemic complications such as meningitis can occur.Treatment typically involves antibiotics, such as Penicillin G.
Example 1: A 20-year-old patient presents with recurrent fevers, joint pain, and a rash that has been present for several weeks.Blood cultures are positive for N. meningitidis, confirming the diagnosis of chronic meningococcemia., A child experiences intermittent fevers and a non-specific rash over several months.After multiple visits and tests, a diagnosis of chronic meningococcemia is finally made, distinguishing it from other potential causes., A patient with chronic meningococcemia initially responds well to antibiotic treatment but experiences a relapse several weeks later, requiring a longer course of antibiotics to eradicate the infection.
Documentation for A39.3 should include details of the patient's history, including the duration and pattern of fever, presence of joint pain, characteristics of the rash, and any other associated symptoms.Laboratory results, including blood cultures confirming N. meningitidis infection, are essential.Treatment details, including antibiotic choice and duration, should also be documented.
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Medicine
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Office, Independent Clinic