Acute hepatitis A (B15)

The ICD-10 code B15 and its subcodes specify diagnoses related to acute hepatitis A, a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. These codes distinguish between cases with and without severe complications like hepatic coma.

Use B15 when coding for general acute hepatitis A infection. The subcode B15.0 refers specifically to hepatitis A accompanied by hepatic coma, also known as hepatic coma due to viral hepatitis A, highlighting a critical, life-threatening stage. In contrast, B15.9 captures acute hepatitis A cases without hepatic coma and includes numerous synonyms such as viral hepatitis A without hepatic coma, acute type A viral hepatitis, anicteric viral hepatitis, and relapsing type A viral hepatitis. These distinctions assist medical coders and healthcare professionals in accurately recording the presence and severity of hepatitis A infection, ensuring precise documentation and appropriate patient care. The ICD-10 code for acute hepatitis A is thus essential for identifying this viral liver infection whether it manifests with or without severe neurological complications.