Carrier of infectious disease (Z22)
The ICD-10 code Z22 identifies individuals known as carriers of infectious diseases, meaning they harbor specific infectious organisms without showing symptoms but can potentially spread the infection to others. This code helps healthcare providers document and manage carrier status for various infections.
The section covers a range of specific carriers, including Z22.0 for typhoid carriers (also called Salmonella carriers), and Z22.1 for carriers of other intestinal infections like cholera or Clostridioides difficile. Codes such as Z22.31 and Z22.32 denote carriers of bacterial diseases caused by meningococci and staphylococci, respectively, with subcodes distinguishing methicillin-sensitive (Staphylococcus aureus) from methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA). Other codes specify carriers of streptococci, Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterobacterales, and sexually transmitted infections (Z22.4). Notably, Z22.7 identifies latent or inactive tuberculosis, while Z22.9 covers unspecified carriers. Using these codes accurately supports infection control and epidemiological tracking, clarifying the carrier status across a broad spectrum of bacteria and viruses.
Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00–Z99)
Persons with potential health hazards related to communicable diseases (Z20-Z29)
Z22 Carrier of infectious disease
- Z22.0 Carrier of typhoid
- Z22.1 Carrier of other intestinal infectious diseases
- Z22.2 Carrier of diphtheria
Z22.3 Carrier of other specified bacterial diseases
- Z22.31 Carrier of bacterial disease due to meningococci
Z22.32 Carrier of bacterial disease due to staphylococci
- Z22.321 Carrier or suspected carrier of Methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus
- Z22.322 Carrier or suspected carrier of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Z22.33 Carrier of bacterial disease due to streptococci
- Z22.330 Carrier of Group B streptococcus
- Z22.338 Carrier of other streptococcus
Z22.34 Carrier of Acinetobacter baumannii
- Z22.340 Carrier of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
- Z22.341 Carrier of carbapenem-sensitive Acinetobacter baumannii
- Z22.349 Carrier of Acinetobacter baumannii, unspecified
Z22.35 Carrier of Enterobacterales
- Z22.350 Carrier of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales
- Z22.358 Carrier of other Enterobacterales
- Z22.359 Carrier of Enterobacterales, unspecified
- Z22.39 Carrier of other specified bacterial diseases
- Z22.4 Carrier of infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission
- Z22.6 Carrier of human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 [HTLV-1] infection
- Z22.7 Latent tuberculosis
- Z22.8 Carrier of other infectious diseases
- Z22.9 Carrier of infectious disease, unspecified
Carrier of infectious disease (Z22)
Instructional Notations
Includes
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
- colonization status
- suspected carrier
Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
- carrier of viral hepatitis B18
Clinical Terms
The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.
Latent Tuberculosis
The dormant form of TUBERCULOSIS where the person shows no obvious symptoms and no sign of the causative agent (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) in the SPUTUM despite being positive for tuberculosis infection skin test.
