2025 ICD-10-CM code A77
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Infectious Disease - Rickettsioses Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99) Feed
Spotted fever, a tick-borne rickettsiosis caused by Rickettsia bacteria.
Medical necessity for treatment is established by the presence of symptoms consistent with spotted fever (fever, headache, rash, muscle pain) coupled with either confirmed laboratory results or a high clinical suspicion based on the patient's exposure history and clinical presentation.Treatment is crucial to prevent serious complications like encephalitis, myocarditis, or even death.
Diagnosis and treatment of spotted fever require a comprehensive approach, encompassing patient history (travel history, tick bite), physical examination (assessing fever, rash, and other symptoms), and laboratory investigations (e.g., blood tests, serological tests, and potentially imaging studies). The physician manages the disease by prescribing appropriate antibiotics (like doxycycline), administering supportive care (fluids, oxygen), and monitoring for complications.
In simple words: Spotted fever is an infection spread by tick, flea, mite, or louse bites. Symptoms include fever, headache, rash, and muscle aches.Early antibiotic treatment is important to prevent serious problems.
Spotted fever, also known as tick-borne rickettsiosis, is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Rickettsia.Transmission occurs through the bites of infected fleas, lice, mites, or ticks, often carried by rodents and domestic animals.Clinical manifestations include high fever, headache, characteristic petechial rash (especially on palms and soles), myalgias, arthralgias, confusion, lethargy, and gastrointestinal symptoms.Cardiovascular complications such as myocarditis, irregular heartbeat, and congestive heart failure may occur. Pulmonary edema and pneumonitis are also possible. Diagnosis involves considering patient history (travel to endemic areas, tick bite), physical examination, and laboratory tests like CBC, serologic tests, and indirect immunofluorescence antibody tests. Treatment typically involves early administration of antibiotics, such as doxycycline, along with supportive care like oxygen and IV fluids.
Example 1: A 45-year-old hiker presents with a high fever, headache, and a characteristic petechial rash after a recent camping trip in a wooded area.A tick bite is suspected.A blood test confirms Rickettsia infection.Doxycycline is prescribed., A 70-year-old patient residing in a rural area presents with worsening symptoms of fever, malaise, and muscle pain.Physical examination reveals a rash on the extremities.A history of tick bites is elicited.Laboratory tests are ordered, confirming a spotted fever rickettsiosis.Antibiotic therapy is initiated, along with close monitoring for complications., A 10-year-old child reports fever, headache, and body aches. A rash develops several days later. The parents had recently traveled with the child to a known area with a high prevalence of ticks.The physician orders laboratory tests for Rickettsial infection and administers doxycycline upon confirmation.
Detailed patient history including travel history, potential exposure to ticks, fleas, lice or mites.Complete physical examination noting rash distribution and characteristics, organ system involvement.Complete laboratory results (CBC, serology, possibly imaging studies).Documentation of antibiotic therapy (drug, dose, duration), response to treatment, and any complications.
** Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing severe complications.The clinical presentation of spotted fever can vary considerably, requiring careful clinical judgment and diagnostic testing.Differential diagnosis should consider other illnesses presenting with similar symptoms.
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