Influenza virus
- all types
- incl H1N1
- no new pathogen code was added for swine flu
Influenza virus
Usually what is a flu dx coded as?
- The flu is considered an URTI.--CMarks 11:51, 2015 May 6 (CDT)
- The "flu" is not a diagnostic code, the virus itself is a pathogen, see note below:
- Template:Discussion what main code would one use for "traditional" flu, with an identified flu virus? Would it be simply the appropriate choice in Category:Pneumonia?
- Use URTI unless there is a positive swab or CXR changes indicative of pneumonia.--CMarks 11:58, 2015 May 6 (CDT)
- See note regarding influenza that is not a pneumonia....use tracheobronchitis code as this is primarily a respiratory infection. We are not worried about any other symptoms. If you are asking about gastroenteritis which is sometimes referred to as the flu, we have a code for that.
- Influenza is only coded if a pt has positive swabs from the cadham lab so influenza is coded as follows:
- When a patient has pneumonia with the influenza virus but also has a positive bacterial culture, you can code pneumonia twice using the pathogen of influenza virus for one entry and the bacterial pathogen for the other.
- If a patient has a positive swab for influenza but does not have pneumonia (clear CXR), you can use Tracheobronchitis as the diagnosis with influenza virus as the subcode pathogen. (This directive was given by Dr. Kumar).
- If there are other organs that are suspected to be infected with influenza (ie. viral myocarditis, with a positive influenza swab) then you can use Disseminated Infection as the diagnostic code with influenza virus as the pathogen. (This directive was given by Dr. Kumar). --LKolesar 10:39, 2015 February 4 (CST)
- Per Dr Garland, disseminated infection is extremely rare and there should be a positive swab.--CMarks 11:50, 2015 May 6 (CDT)