2025 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code G05
Encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis in diseases classified elsewhere
- ICD-10-CM Code:
- G05
- ICD-10 Code for:
- Encphlts, myelitis & encephalomyelitis in dis classd elswhr
- Is Billable?
- Not Valid for Submission
- Code Navigator:
G05 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis in diseases classified elsewhere. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2025 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 Encphlts, myelitis & encephalomyelitis in dis classd elswhr
Non-specific codes like G05 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 encphlts, myelitis & encephalomyelitis in dis classd elswhr:
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.
Code First
Code FirstCertain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions, the ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists, there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation.
- underlying disease, such as:
- congenital toxoplasmosis encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis P37.1
- cytomegaloviral encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis B25.8
- encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis in systemic lupus erythematosus M32.19
- eosinophilic meningoencephalitis B83.2
- human immunodeficiency virus HIV disease B20
- poliovirus A80
- suppurative otitis media H66.01 H66.4
- systemic lupus erythematosus M32.19
- trichinellosis B75
Type 1 Excludes
Type 1 ExcludesA 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.
- adenoviral encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis A85.1
- encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis in measles B05.0
- enteroviral encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis A85.0
- herpesviral herpes simplex encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis B00.4
- listerial encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis A32.12
- meningococcal encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis A39.81
- mumps encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis B26.2
- postchickenpox encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis B01.1
- rubella encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis B06.01
- toxoplasmosis encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis B58.2
- zoster encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis B02.0
Patient Education
Encephalitis
What is encephalitis?
Encephalitis is inflammation (swelling) of the brain. It can happen when an infection or medical condition that affects the brain activates your immune system. The inflammation can cause a wide range of symptoms. In extreme cases, it can lead to brain damage, stroke, or even death.
What causes encephalitis?
There are different types of encephalitis, based on what the cause is. The two main types are infectious encephalitis and autoimmune encephalitis.
Infectious encephalitis is usually caused by a virus. In fact, viruses are the most common cause of encephalitis. Some of the different viruses that cause it include:
- Herpes viruses, including herpes simplex (HSV), the Epstein-Barr virus (which causes infectious mononucleosis) and the varicella-zoster virus (which causes chickenpox).
- Viruses you can get if you are bitten by an infected tick, such as tick-borne encephalitis (TBE virus) and Powassan virus.
- Viruses you can get if you are bitten by an infected mosquito, such as eastern equine encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, and La Crosse virus.
- Enteroviruses, which are a common group of viruses that mostly cause mild illness or respiratory infection. These infections usually happen in the summer and fall.
Bacteria, fungi, and parasites can also cause infectious encephalitis. But this is not common.
Autoimmune encephalitis happens when your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy brain cells. It can be triggered by conditions such as certain cancers, benign tumors, and infections. Sometimes the cause is not known.
Who is more likely to get encephalitis?
Anyone can get encephalitis, but you are more likely to get it if you:
- Have a weakened immune system, for example from having HIV or taking certain medicines. These could include medicines taken after an organ transplant, certain chemotherapy medicines, and specialized treatments for certain autoimmune diseases.
- Are a young child or older adult.
- Live in areas where there are ticks and mosquitoes that carry viruses that can cause encephalitis.
What are the symptoms of encephalitis?
The symptoms of encephalitis can vary a lot, depending on how severe it is. Many people do not have any symptoms. Others may have mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, or body aches. If encephalitis becomes more serious, it can cause:
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Behavior changes
- Drowsiness
- Muscle weakness
- Partial paralysis in your arms and legs
- Coma
Encephalitis can be dangerous in infants. Their symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Lethargy (weakness or drowsiness)
- Poor feeding
- Vomiting
- Body stiffness
- Unusual irritability or crying
- A full or bulging fontanel (the soft spot on the top of the head)
If you or your child is having symptoms of encephalitis, it's important to get medical care right away.
How is encephalitis diagnosed?
To find out if you have encephalitis, your health care provider:
- Will do a physical exam
- Will take your medical history, which includes asking about your symptoms
- May do a neurologic exam
- May order imaging tests, such as a brain CT scan or MRI
- May order an EEG (electroencephalography), which use small electric sensors to measure your brain activity
- May order blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests
What are the treatments for encephalitis?
Most people with encephalitis will need treatment in the hospital. Depending on the cause, treatments may include antiviral medicines, antibiotics, corticosteroids, and other medicines.
For some types of encephalitis, there is no medicine to treat it. But rest, nutrition, and fluids can help your body fight the infection and relieve symptoms.
Some people may need physical, speech, and occupational therapy once the illness is under control.
Can encephalitis be prevented?
There are steps you can take to help prevent encephalitis that is caused by infections:
- Use good hygiene, including washing your hands often with soap and water.
- Don't share food, drinks, utensils, and glasses with other people.
- Get vaccines for viruses that can cause encephalitis.
- Avoid mosquito and tick bites, for example by:
- Wearing insect repellent with DEET or another U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent. Make sure to follow the instructions for using the repellant.
- Wearing clothes that cover your arms, legs and feet.
- Treating your clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin before you go in grassy or woody areas.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]
Spinal Cord Diseases
Your spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs down the middle of your back. It carries signals back and forth between your body and your brain. It is protected by your vertebrae, which are the bone disks that make up your spine. If you have an accident that damages the vertebrae or other parts of the spine, this can also injure the spinal cord. Other spinal cord problems include:
- Tumors
- Infections such as meningitis and polio
- Inflammatory diseases
- Autoimmune diseases
- Degenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy
Symptoms vary but might include pain, numbness, loss of sensation and muscle weakness. These symptoms can occur around the spinal cord, and also in other areas such as your arms and legs. Treatments often include medicines and surgery.
[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.
