Spotted fever due to Rickettsia siberica

This code identifies a specific rickettsial infection, Siberian tick typhus, caused by the bacterium Rickettsia siberica. It is characterized by fever, headache, myalgia, and a distinctive maculopapular rash, often with an eschar at the tick bite site.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states a diagnosis of Siberian tick typhus or spotted fever confirmed to be due to Rickettsia siberica. This typically follows laboratory confirmation or strong clinical suspicion in an endemic area.

• Ensure the documentation specifies Rickettsia siberica as the causative agent; do not use for unspecified spotted fevers.
• Distinguish carefully from other rickettsial infections, such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever (due to R. rickettsii).
• Consider an additional code for the specific tick bite if documented and relevant to the encounter.