Other tetanus (A35)

ICD-10 code A35Clostridium tetani, including localized and cephalic tetanus, among others.

The term "Other tetanus" under A35 encompasses several related conditions such as localized tetanus, where muscle stiffness is confined to a specific area, and cephalic tetanus, which involves cranial nerves. It also includes tetanus with trismus (lockjaw) and tetanic opisthotonus (severe muscle spasms causing backward arching). Sometimes called "autonomic disorder due to tetanus," this category addresses the nervous system dysfunction caused by the infection. Healthcare professionals and coders use this ICD-10 code when documenting tetanus infections that don’t fit into generalized or neonatal types, ensuring accurate classification for treatment and reporting purposes. Knowing the synonyms helps when looking up the ICD-10 code for tetanus conditions and confirms the correct application for these related diagnoses.

Instructional Notations

Inclusion Terms

These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.

  • Tetanus NOS

Type 1 Excludes

A 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.

  • obstetrical tetanus A34
  • tetanus neonatorum A33

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.

Clostridium tetani

The cause of TETANUS in humans and domestic animals. It is a common inhabitant of human and horse intestines as well as soil. Two components make up its potent exotoxin activity, a neurotoxin and a hemolytic toxin.

Tetanus

A disease caused by tetanospasmin, a powerful protein toxin produced by CLOSTRIDIUM TETANI. Tetanus usually occurs after an acute injury, such as a puncture wound or laceration. Generalized tetanus, the most common form, is characterized by tetanic muscular contractions and hyperreflexia. Localized tetanus presents itself as a mild condition with manifestations restricted to muscles near the wound. It may progress to the generalized form.

Tetanus Antitoxin

An antitoxin used for the treatment of TETANUS.

Tetanus Toxin

Protein synthesized by CLOSTRIDIUM TETANI as a single chain of ~150 kDa with 35% sequence identity to BOTULINUM TOXIN that is cleaved to a light and a heavy chain that are linked by a single disulfide bond. Tetanolysin is the hemolytic and tetanospasmin is the neurotoxic principle. The toxin causes disruption of the inhibitory mechanisms of the CNS, thus permitting uncontrolled nervous activity, leading to fatal CONVULSIONS.

Tetanus Toxoid

Protein synthesized by CLOSTRIDIUM TETANI as a single chain of ~150 kDa with 35% sequence identity to BOTULINUM TOXIN that is cleaved to a light and a heavy chain that are linked by a single disulfide bond. Tetanolysin is the hemolytic and tetanospasmin is the neurotoxic principle. The toxin causes disruption of the inhibitory mechanisms of the CNS, thus permitting uncontrolled nervous activity, leading to fatal CONVULSIONS.