Septicemic plague

This code represents a severe, systemic bacterial infection caused by Yersinia pestis, characterized by the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream. It is a highly virulent form of plague, often developing rapidly from bubonic plague or as a primary infection, leading to widespread organ damage and high mortality.

Use this code for patients diagnosed with septicemic plague, confirmed by blood cultures or other laboratory tests identifying Yersinia pestis in the bloodstream. Documentation should clearly indicate systemic involvement beyond localized buboes, such as sepsis, multi-organ dysfunction, or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) attributed to plague.

• Always sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter.
• Do not code bubonic plague (020.0) or pneumonic plague (020.3) concurrently unless distinct, separate manifestations are documented.
• Ensure documentation specifies "septicemic" to differentiate from other forms of plague.