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2025 ICD-10-CM code A68

Relapsing fevers

Use additional code to identify resistance to antimicrobial drugs (Z16.-).

Medical necessity for treatment is established by the diagnosis of relapsing fever. Prompt antibiotic treatment is necessary to prevent serious complications.

Physicians should diagnose relapsing fever based on patient history, physical examination, and laboratory tests.Treatment includes antibiotics such as tetracyclines, erythromycin, or penicillin. Patient education on preventative measures, such as avoiding tick and lice exposure, is crucial.

In simple words: Relapsing fever is an infection that causes repeated bouts of fever along with other symptoms like headache, muscle and joint pain, chills, and nausea.It's spread by ticks or lice.If you get a tick bite and develop a fever, see your doctor right away.

Relapsing fever is a bacterial infection characterized by recurring episodes of fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, chills, and nausea. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Borrelia, transmitted through the bites of infected ticks (tick-borne relapsing fever) or lice (louse-borne relapsing fever).Tick-borne relapsing fever is more common in the western United States, often associated with sleeping in rustic cabins. Louse-borne relapsing fever is more prevalent globally, particularly in developing countries.

Example 1: A patient presents with recurrent high fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches after a recent camping trip in the mountains.Blood smear examination reveals Borrelia spirochetes, confirming tick-borne relapsing fever., A patient experiencing homelessness presents with high fever, fatigue, and body aches.Physical exam reveals body lice, and blood tests confirm louse-borne relapsing fever., A pregnant woman traveling abroad develops recurrent fever, headache, and muscle pain.Relapsing fever is diagnosed.Careful monitoring and treatment are initiated to prevent complications for both mother and fetus.

Documentation should include details of symptoms (fever pattern, headache, muscle/joint pain, nausea, etc.), travel history, potential exposure to ticks or lice, and laboratory findings confirming the presence of Borrelia.

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