Influenza virus, like other viruses, displays significant interaction with the immune system, which can directly lead to severe sepsis or to a secondary bacterial infection.
Septicemia – There is NO code for septicemia in ICD-10. Instead, you're directed to a combination 'A' code for sepsis to indicate the underlying infection, such A41. 9 (Sepsis, unspecified organism) for septicemia with no further detail.
Viral sepsis has been defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated host response to viral infection [28].
ICD-10-CM Code for Influenza due to other identified influenza virus with other respiratory manifestations J10. 1.
According to the guidelines above, sepsis would be the appropriate principal diagnosis if it is the reason the patient is admitted, and meets the definition of principal diagnosis.
Coding sepsis requires a minimum of two codes: a code for the systemic infection (e.g., 038. xx) and the code 995.91, SIRS due to infectious process without organ dysfunction. If no causal organism is documented within the medical record, query the physician or assign code 038.9, Unspecified septicemia.
Influenza and sepsisS – Shivering, fever, or feeling very cold.E – Extreme pain or general discomfort (“worst ever”)P – Pale or discolored skin.S – Sleepiness, difficulty rousing, confusion.I – “I feel like I might die” feeling.S – Short of breath.
Bacterial infections cause most cases of sepsis. Sepsis can also be a result of other infections, including viral infections, such as COVID-19 or influenza.
While bacterial infections are the most common cause of sepsis, viral infections can cause sepsis too. Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. Worldwide, one-third of people who develop sepsis die.
9: Fever, unspecified.
ICD-10-CM Code for Encounter for screening for other viral diseases Z11. 59.
The ICD-10 code range for Influenza and pneumonia J09-J18 is medical classification list by the World Health Organization (WHO).