Bacterial foodborne intoxication, unspecified

This code signifies a diagnosis of food poisoning caused by bacterial toxins, where the specific bacterial agent is not identified. It represents an acute illness resulting from ingesting food contaminated with preformed bacterial toxins, leading to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.

Use this code when a patient presents with symptoms consistent with bacterial foodborne intoxication, and the medical record explicitly states the bacterial cause is unknown or unspecified. This is appropriate when laboratory testing for specific pathogens is pending, inconclusive, or not performed, but a bacterial etiology is clinically suspected.

• Do not use this code if the specific bacterial agent (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens) is documented; instead, use the more specific A05.0-A05.8 codes.
• This code should be sequenced as the primary diagnosis when the foodborne intoxication is the reason for the encounter.
• Ensure documentation supports a bacterial origin, even if unspecified, to differentiate from viral or parasitic foodborne illnesses.