049.9
ICD-9-CMThis code signifies a viral infection affecting the central nervous system (CNS) where the specific type of virus is unknown, and it is not transmitted by arthropods (e.g., mosquitoes, ticks). It encompasses conditions like viral meningitis or encephalitis when the causative agent has not been identified.
This code is appropriate when a patient presents with symptoms of a viral CNS infection (e.g., fever, headache, stiff neck, altered mental status) and diagnostic testing has not yet isolated a specific non-arthropod-borne viral pathogen. Documentation should clearly indicate a viral etiology and the CNS involvement, without further specificity of the virus.
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