Colitis, enteritis, and gastroenteritis of presumed infectious origin

This code represents inflammation of the colon, small intestine, or stomach and small intestine, respectively, when the etiology is presumed to be infectious. It covers acute gastrointestinal infections causing symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, without specific laboratory confirmation of the pathogen.

Apply this code for patients presenting with acute symptoms of gastroenteritis, enteritis, or colitis where a viral or bacterial cause is suspected but not definitively identified through culture or other specific tests. Documentation should indicate symptoms consistent with an infectious process, often in the absence of other clear etiologies.

• Do not use if a specific infectious agent (e.g., Salmonella, E. coli) is identified; instead, code the specific infection.
• Distinguish from non-infectious causes of colitis or enteritis (e.g., Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), which have their own specific codes.
• Ensure documentation supports the "presumed infectious origin" and rules out other causes.