Acute meningococcemia

This code represents a severe, acute systemic infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis, characterized by the presence of meningococci in the bloodstream without overt signs of meningitis. It often presents with a rapid onset of fever, petechial or purpuric rash, and can quickly progress to septic shock and multi-organ failure.

Assign this code for documented cases of acute meningococcal sepsis or bacteremia where there is no evidence of meningeal inflammation. This diagnosis is typically supported by positive blood cultures for Neisseria meningitidis and clinical signs of systemic infection.

• Do not code concurrently with meningococcal meningitis (G00.0) unless both conditions are explicitly documented and distinct.
• Always sequence this code as the principal diagnosis when it is the primary reason for the encounter.
• Look for documentation of "meningococcal sepsis," "meningococcal bacteremia," or "fulminant meningococcemia."