Meningococcal infection (A39)

The ICD-10 code section A39 covers all meningococcal infections, which are caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis and can affect various body systems. These codes are used to classify specific meningococcal conditions, from meningitis to bloodstream infections and complications like heart or joint involvement.

This section includes codes such as A39.0 for meningococcal meningitis, also known as meningitis caused by gram-negative aerobic cocci. It spans serious infections like Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome (A39.1), a severe adrenal hemorrhage condition, and acute or chronic meningococcemia (A39.2, A39.3), which describe meningococcal bloodstream infections. Cardiac complications caused by meningococcal bacteria, including endocarditis, myocarditis, or pericarditis, are coded under A39.5 with specific subcodes A39.50–A39.53. Other less common infections like meningococcal encephalitis (A39.81), retrobulbar neuritis, or arthritis are also covered. The unspecified or general invasive meningococcal disease falls under A39.9, commonly referred to as sepsis caused by meningococcus. These detailed ICD-10 codes help accurately document the specific type and manifestation of meningococcal infection for clinical and billing purposes.