Postvaccination fever
ICD-10 R50.83 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of postvaccination fever.
Postvaccination fever is a common and typically benign reaction that occurs following vaccination. It is characterized by an elevation in body temperature, often exceeding 100.4°F (38°C), and can manifest within hours to days after receiving a vaccine. This fever is generally a result of the body's immune response to the vaccine, which stimulates the production of antibodies and activates immune cells. Common vaccines associated with postvaccination fever include those for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), varicella, and influenza. While postvaccination fever is usually self-limiting and resolves without intervention, it can cause discomfort and anxiety for patients and caregivers. Clinicians should differentiate postvaccination fever from other febrile illnesses, particularly in young children, to avoid unnecessary investigations or treatments. The clinical context of postvaccination fever is essential for proper coding, as it reflects the body's normal immune response rather than an adverse event requiring further medical intervention.
Documentation should include the patient's vaccination history, the specific vaccine administered, and the onset and duration of fever.
Patients presenting with fever shortly after routine vaccinations, particularly in adults receiving influenza or shingles vaccines.
Consideration of underlying health conditions that may complicate the fever presentation.
Acute care documentation must include vital signs, vaccination history, and any additional symptoms accompanying the fever.
Patients presenting to the emergency department with fever after vaccination, often accompanied by other symptoms like malaise or irritability.
Rapid assessment to rule out other causes of fever, especially in pediatric patients.
When a vaccine is administered and postvaccination fever is documented.
Documentation of the vaccine administered and any immediate reactions.
Ensure that the immunization record is complete and linked to any subsequent fever.
Documentation should include the patient's vaccination history, the specific vaccine administered, the date of vaccination, the onset and duration of fever, and any other symptoms present.
