ICD-10-CM Code A51

Early syphilis

  1. ICD-10-CM Index
  2. Chapter: A00–B99
  3. Section: A50-A64
  4. Block: A51
  5. A51 - Early syphilis
Version 2021 Non-Billable Code

Not Valid for Submission

A51 is a "header" nonspecific and non-billable code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of early syphilis. The code is NOT valid for the year 2021 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions.

ICD-10:A51
Short Description:Early syphilis
Long Description:Early syphilis

Consider the following ICD-10 codes with a higher level of specificity:

  • A51.0 - Primary genital syphilis
  • A51.1 - Primary anal syphilis
  • A51.2 - Primary syphilis of other sites
  • A51.3 - Secondary syphilis of skin and mucous membranes
  • A51.31 - Condyloma latum
  • A51.32 - Syphilitic alopecia
  • A51.39 - Other secondary syphilis of skin
  • A51.4 - Other secondary syphilis
  • A51.41 - Secondary syphilitic meningitis
  • A51.42 - Secondary syphilitic female pelvic disease
  • A51.43 - Secondary syphilitic oculopathy
  • A51.44 - Secondary syphilitic nephritis
  • A51.45 - Secondary syphilitic hepatitis
  • A51.46 - Secondary syphilitic osteopathy
  • A51.49 - Other secondary syphilitic conditions
  • A51.5 - ... latent
  • A51.9 - ... unspecified

Code Classification

  • Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00–B99)
    • Infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission (A50-A64)
      • Early syphilis (A51)

Code History

  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016
    (First year ICD-10-CM implemented into the HIPAA code set)
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021

Information for Patients


Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. It infects the genital area, lips, mouth, or anus of both men and women. You usually get syphilis from sexual contact with someone who has it. It can also pass from mother to baby during pregnancy.

The early stage of syphilis usually causes a single, small, painless sore. Sometimes it causes swelling in nearby lymph nodes. If you do not treat it, syphilis usually causes a non-itchy skin rash, often on your hands and feet. Many people do not notice symptoms for years. Symptoms can go away and come back.

The sores caused by syphilis make it easier to get or give someone HIV during sex. If you are pregnant, syphilis can cause complications, or you could lose your baby. In rare cases, syphilis causes serious health problems and even death.

Syphilis is easy to cure with antibiotics if you catch it early. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading syphilis. The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have anal, vaginal, or oral sex.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  • Condom Fact Sheet in Brief (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Congenital syphilis (Medical Encyclopedia)
  • CSF-VDRL test (Medical Encyclopedia)
  • FTA-ABS test (Medical Encyclopedia)
  • Neurosyphilis (Medical Encyclopedia)
  • RPR test (Medical Encyclopedia)
  • Syphilis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Syphilis - primary (Medical Encyclopedia)
  • Syphilis and MSM (Men Who Have Sex with Men) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • VDRL test (Medical Encyclopedia)

[Learn More]

Previous Code: A50.9

Related Codes

Next Code: A51.0