Acute poliomyelitis
Chapter 1:Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
ICD-10 A80 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of acute poliomyelitis.
Acute poliomyelitis is a viral infection caused by the poliovirus, primarily affecting the central nervous system (CNS). The disease can lead to paralysis, muscle weakness, and in severe cases, respiratory failure. Poliomyelitis is transmitted via the fecal-oral route, and the virus can invade the CNS, leading to inflammation of the spinal cord and brain. Symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the limbs. In some cases, the infection can progress to flaccid paralysis, which may be permanent. Vaccination has significantly reduced the incidence of poliomyelitis worldwide, with the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) and oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) being the primary preventive measures. Despite the availability of vaccines, outbreaks can still occur, particularly in areas with low vaccination coverage. Accurate coding of acute poliomyelitis is crucial for public health tracking and resource allocation, as well as for ensuring appropriate treatment and follow-up care.
Detailed history of exposure, vaccination status, and clinical symptoms.
Patients presenting with acute flaccid paralysis or neurological symptoms following a recent illness.
Consideration of recent travel history to endemic areas and vaccination records.
Neurological examination findings, imaging results, and functional status assessments.
Patients with acute onset of weakness or paralysis, requiring differential diagnosis from other neurological conditions.
Documentation of any residual effects or complications from the disease.
Used for follow-up visits for patients diagnosed with acute poliomyelitis.
Documentation of clinical findings, treatment plan, and follow-up care.
Infectious disease specialists should document vaccination history and any neurological assessments.
Vaccination status is crucial in coding A80 as it helps determine the type of poliomyelitis (wild-type vs. vaccine-derived) and informs public health strategies for outbreak prevention.
