Hand, foot, and mouth disease

This code identifies a common viral illness characterized by a distinctive rash of small, painful blisters on the hands, feet, and inside the mouth. It is primarily caused by coxsackievirus A16 and enterovirus 71, leading to symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and malaise.

Apply this code when documentation confirms a diagnosis of hand, foot, and mouth disease, typically based on the characteristic clinical presentation. This code is appropriate for both outpatient and inpatient encounters where this specific viral infection is the primary reason for the visit or a significant co-morbidity.

• Ensure documentation specifies "hand, foot, and mouth disease" and not a generic viral rash.
• Do not confuse with herpangina, which primarily affects the posterior oropharynx.
• Consider sequencing if other conditions, such as dehydration, are also documented and treated.