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BETA v.3.0

2025 ICD-10-CM code A04.3

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) infection.

Use additional code to identify resistance to antimicrobial drugs (Z16.-).Do not use A04.3 for bacterial foodborne intoxications (A05.-) or tuberculous enteritis (A18.32).

Medical necessity for EHEC management depends on symptom severity and the presence of complications.Testing is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment.Rehydration is crucial to prevent complications of dehydration, while antibiotics may be necessary for severe cases or to prevent HUS.Hospitalization and intensive care may be required for patients with HUS or other life-threatening complications.

Clinicians should be aware of EHEC's varied presentation, from asymptomatic carriage to life-threatening HUS.Accurate diagnosis requires laboratory testing of stool samples.Treatment decisions are based on symptom severity, ranging from rehydration to antibiotics and hospitalization for complicated cases. Close monitoring for complications is essential.

In simple words: EHEC infection is a serious gut infection caused by a specific type of E. coli bacteria found in contaminated food or water.It can cause anything from mild diarrhea to severe bloody diarrhea with painful cramps.In serious cases, it can lead to kidney problems, anemia (low blood count), and even life-threatening complications.Treatment typically involves rehydration and sometimes antibiotics.

This condition is caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with EHEC bacteria, which produces Shiga toxin. Symptoms range from mild diarrhea to hemorrhagic colitis, characterized by severe abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhea. In severe cases, it can lead to life-threatening complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), featuring anemia, kidney failure, and purplish spots on the skin due to bleeding under the skin. Diagnosis involves stool sample analysis, while treatment focuses on rehydration, antibiotics for severe cases, and supportive care.

Example 1: A 5-year-old child presents with bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and no fever after consuming undercooked ground beef. Stool culture confirms EHEC infection., An adult experiences watery diarrhea after drinking contaminated water during a camping trip.Symptoms progress to hemorrhagic colitis within a few days, requiring hospitalization and intravenous rehydration., An elderly patient with EHEC infection develops HUS, exhibiting decreased urine output, fatigue, and pallor.Urgent dialysis and supportive care are initiated.

Documentation should include details of onset, symptoms (diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, etc.), exposure history (food, water, animal contact), laboratory results (stool culture, blood tests), and treatment provided (rehydration, antibiotics).If HUS develops, document related findings (anemia, thrombocytopenia, renal impairment).

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