Varicella (hemorrhagic) pneumonitis

This code signifies a severe complication of varicella (chickenpox) infection, specifically inflammation of the lungs characterized by bleeding. It indicates a life-threatening form of pneumonia caused by the varicella-zoster virus, often seen in immunocompromised individuals or adults.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states "hemorrhagic pneumonitis" as a complication of varicella. This code is appropriate for patients presenting with respiratory distress, hemoptysis, and radiographic evidence of pneumonia in the context of active chickenpox.

• Ensure documentation clearly links the pneumonitis to varicella and specifies its hemorrhagic nature.
• Do not confuse with non-hemorrhagic varicella pneumonitis, which would be coded differently.
• Consider sequencing this code as the principal diagnosis if it is the primary reason for admission or encounter.