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  4. A65-A69
  5. Relapsing fevers (A68)

Relapsing fevers (A68)

ICD-10 codes A68, A68.0, A68.1, and A68.9 are used to classify different types of relapsing fevers, which are infections characterized by recurring episodes of fever. These codes help healthcare providers specify whether the infection is due to lice, ticks, or an unspecified cause.

Relapsing fever (A68) refers broadly to conditions involving periodic fever outbreaks. The code A68.0 identifies louse-borne relapsing fever, caused by the bacterium Borrelia recurrentis. Meanwhile, A68.1 covers a range of tick-borne relapsing fevers, which include infections by various Borrelia species like Borrelia miyamotoi, Borrelia hermsii, and others commonly linked to tick bites. This code also encompasses regional names such as South African tick-bite fever and relapsing fever found in Southwest U.S. and North Africa. When the type of relapsing fever is not specified, A68.9 is used. These classifications are essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment, as well as coding medical records for parasitic infections related to relapsing fever.

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.

  • recurrent fever

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.

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.

Boutonneuse Fever

A febrile disease of the Mediterranean area, the Crimea, Africa, and India, caused by infection with RICKETTSIA CONORII.

Ornithodoros

A genus of softbacked TICKS, in the family ARGASIDAE, serving as the vector of BORRELIA, causing RELAPSING FEVER, and of the AFRICAN SWINE FEVER VIRUS.

Relapsing Fever

An acute infection characterized by recurrent episodes of PYREXIA alternating with asymptomatic intervals of apparent recovery. This condition is caused by SPIROCHETES of the genus BORRELIA. It is transmitted by the BITES of either the body louse (PEDICULUS humanus corporis), for which humans are the reservoir, or by soft ticks of the genus ORNITHODOROS, for which rodents and other animals are the principal reservoirs.

Rickettsia conorii

A species of gram-negative, aerobic bacteria that is the etiologic agent of BOUTONNEUSE FEVER. It resembles RICKETTSIA RICKETTSII but is antigenically distinct and less virulent for animals and man. (From Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, vol 1)