Pulmonary anthrax

This code represents a severe form of anthrax infection primarily affecting the lungs, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It typically results from inhaling anthrax spores, leading to a rapidly progressive and often fatal pneumonia. The infection manifests with flu-like symptoms that quickly escalate to severe respiratory distress, shock, and mediastinal widening.

Use this code for confirmed or highly suspected cases of anthrax where the primary site of infection is the lungs. Documentation should clearly indicate respiratory symptoms, exposure history consistent with anthrax, and laboratory confirmation (e.g., culture, PCR) or strong clinical suspicion in an outbreak setting. This code is appropriate for both initial diagnosis and subsequent encounters related to pulmonary anthrax.

• Always sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when pulmonary anthrax is the reason for the encounter.
• Do not confuse with cutaneous or gastrointestinal anthrax, which have distinct ICD-10-CM codes.
• Ensure documentation supports the pulmonary manifestation; mere exposure to anthrax spores without active infection is coded differently.