Pneumonic plague, unspecified

This code represents a severe, highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Yersinia pestis, specifically affecting the lungs. Pneumonic plague can be primary, resulting from inhalation of infectious droplets, or secondary, developing from untreated bubonic or septicemic plague. It is characterized by rapid onset of fever, chills, cough, chest pain, and hemoptysis.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of pneumonic plague. This includes cases confirmed by laboratory testing (e.g., culture, PCR) or strong clinical suspicion in an endemic area with characteristic symptoms and exposure history. Use for both primary and secondary pneumonic forms.

• Differentiate from other forms of plague (bubonic, septicemic) which have distinct ICD-9-CM codes.
• Ensure documentation specifies "pneumonic" to support this particular code.
• Sequence as the principal diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter.