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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code A87
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A87

Viral meningitis

ICD-10-CM Code:
A87
ICD-10 Code for:
Viral meningitis
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
    (A00–B99)
    • Viral and prion infections of the central nervous system
      (A80-A89)
      • Viral meningitis
        (A87)

A87 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of viral meningitis. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Viral meningitis

Non-specific codes like A87 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for viral meningitis:

  • Use A87.0 for Enteroviral meningitis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use A87.1 for Adenoviral meningitis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use A87.2 for Lymphocytic choriomeningitis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use A87.8 for Other viral meningitis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use A87.9 for Viral meningitis, unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • GAIA Level 3a Neonatal Infectious Meningitis|Global Alignment of Immunization safety Assessment in pregnancy Level 3a Neonatal Infectious Meningitis|Level 3a Neonatal Bacterial/Fungal/Viral Meningitis

    gaia level 3a neonatal infectious meningitis is defined by four criteria: first, csf pleocytosis; second, no recognized pathogen is identified, using a validated method, from a normally sterile site; third, temperature greater than or equal to 37.5 degrees c or less than 35.5 degrees c; fourth, three or more of the following requirements must be met: a) history of convulsions; b) lethargy or irritability; c) coma; d) apnea; e) bulging fontanel; f) neck stiffness.

  • Viral Meningitis

    inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord due to a viral infection.

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
  • meningitis due to herpesvirus herpes simplex B00.3
  • meningitis due to herpesvirus herpes simplex B00.3
  • meningitis due to measles virus B05.1
  • meningitis due to mumps virus B26.1
  • meningitis due to poliomyelitis virus A80
  • meningitis due to zoster B02.1

Patient Education


Meningitis

Meningitis is inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. There are several types of meningitis. The most common is viral meningitis. You get it when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels to the brain. Bacterial meningitis is rare, but can be deadly. It usually starts with bacteria that cause a cold-like infection. It can cause stroke, hearing loss, and brain damage. It can also harm other organs. Pneumococcal infections and meningococcal infections are the most common causes of bacterial meningitis.

Anyone can get meningitis, but it is more common in people with weak immune systems. Meningitis can get serious very quickly. You should get medical care right away if you have:

  • A sudden high fever
  • A severe headache
  • A stiff neck
  • Nausea or vomiting

Early treatment can help prevent serious problems, including death. Tests to diagnose meningitis include blood tests, imaging tests, and a spinal tap to test cerebrospinal fluid. Antibiotics can treat bacterial meningitis. Antiviral medicines may help some types of viral meningitis. Other medicines can help treat symptoms.

There are vaccines to prevent some of the bacterial infections that cause meningitis.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Viral Infections

What are viruses?

Viruses are very tiny germs. They are made of genetic material (either DNA or RNA) inside of a protein coating. There are a huge number of viruses on earth. Only a small number of them can infect humans. Those viruses can infect our cells, which may cause disease. Some of the diseases that viruses can cause include the common cold, the flu, COVID-19, and HIV.

How are viruses spread?

Viruses can be spread in different ways:

  • Through droplets and particles that are breathed out by someone who has the infection. You might breathe in the droplets or particles, or they could land on your mouth, nose, or eyes.
  • By touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
  • From the pregnant parent to the baby during pregnancy.
  • Through contaminated food or water.
  • By being bitten by an infected insect or animal.
  • Through sexual contact (usually vaginal, anal and oral sex) with someone who has the infection.

How do viruses cause disease?

Viruses are like hijackers. They invade living, normal cells. They then use those cells to multiply (make copies of themselves). This process is also called replication. The process can kill, damage, or change the infected cells. Sometimes this can make you sick. The symptoms can range from mild to very severe. Other times, your immune system may be able to fight it off and you may not have any symptoms.

Each different virus usually only infects one type of cell in your body. For example, hepatitis viruses affect the cells in the liver. HIV infects a certain type of immune system cell.

What are the treatments for viral infections?

For most viral infections, treatments can only help with symptoms while you wait for your immune system to fight off the virus. There are antiviral medicines to treat some viral infections. Antibiotics do not work for viral infections.

Can viral infections be prevented?

Vaccines can help prevent you from getting many viral diseases. You may be able to prevent some viral infections by:

  • Proper hand washing.
  • Paying attention to food safety.
  • Cleaning surfaces that may be infected with germs.
  • Avoiding contact with wild animals.
  • Preventing insect bites by using insect repellent when you go outdoors. If you travel to an area that has a high risk of diseases from insect bites, also wear long pants, shirts, and socks.
  • Practicing safe sex (using a condom every time you have anal, vaginal, or oral sex).
  • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.