Late symptomatic syphilis, unspecified

This code signifies a stage of syphilis where symptoms manifest years after the initial infection, but the specific type of late syphilis (e.g., cardiovascular, neurosyphilis, gummatous) is not documented. It indicates a chronic, systemic infection with Treponema pallidum that has progressed beyond the primary, secondary, and latent stages.

Use this code when the medical record clearly states "late symptomatic syphilis" without further specification of the affected organ system. Documentation should confirm a positive serological test for syphilis and clinical signs or symptoms consistent with late-stage disease, but lacking detail for a more specific late syphilis code.

• Avoid using this code if documentation specifies a particular manifestation of late syphilis (e.g., neurosyphilis, cardiovascular syphilis); use the more specific code.
• Ensure the documentation differentiates from early symptomatic syphilis (primary or secondary) or latent syphilis.
• Always review for any associated conditions or complications that may require additional coding.