2025 ICD-10-CM code A82.0
Sylvatic rabies.
Medical necessity for rabies treatment is based on a known or suspected exposure to a rabid animal. The severity of the exposure, the local prevalence of rabies, and the patient's immunization history are factors considered in determining the appropriate medical intervention.
A patient with sylvatic rabies can initially experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, and weakness. As the disease progresses, the patient may develop confusion, anxiety, delirium, hallucinations, behavioral changes, and insomnia. In severe cases, the disease may even lead to death. Providers diagnose the condition based on the patient’s exposure history and physical examination. Laboratory tests of the patient’s saliva can detect the virus, and serum and spinal fluid can detect the antibodies to the virus. The provider may also perform a skin biopsy of the patient’s hair follicles at the nape of the neck. Treatment consists of alleviating symptoms and injecting rabies immunoglobulin or antibodies to fight against the infection. Providers may vaccinate patients against the virus.
- Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
- Viral and prion infections of the central nervous system (A80-A89)
In simple words: Sylvatic rabies is a disease spread by infected wild animals, like raccoons and foxes, through their bites. It affects the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms start like the flu but can lead to confusion, hallucinations, and trouble sleeping. Severe cases can be fatal. Doctors diagnose it based on animal bites, symptoms, and tests of saliva, blood, or skin biopsies. Treatment involves easing symptoms and giving rabies immunoglobulin (antibodies) to fight the infection. Vaccines can also prevent rabies.
Sylvatic rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the central nervous system. It is caused by the rabies virus and typically spread by the bite of infected (rabid) wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes.
Example 1: A patient presents with fever, headache, and malaise after being bitten by a raccoon a week prior. Subsequent testing confirms rabies infection., A hiker is bitten by a fox. As a precaution, they receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) which includes rabies immunoglobulin and the rabies vaccine., A child develops neurological symptoms including agitation, hallucinations, and hydrophobia after being scratched by a bat. Sylvatic rabies is diagnosed.
Documentation should include details of the animal bite (or exposure), the animal species involved, the onset and progression of symptoms, laboratory test results, and treatment administered (including rabies immunoglobulin and/or vaccine).
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Office, Public Health Clinic