ICD 10 CM B83 | Description & Clinical Information

ICD 10 B83 describes a group of infectious diseases caused by various parasitic worms, including tapeworms, flukes, and roundworms, which can be transmitted to humans through contact with contaminated soil, food, and water, resulting in a range of illnesses such as visceral larva migrans, gnathostomiasis, and syngamiasis, among others, and is used when the provider identifies a type of helminthiasis that is not represented by any other code category.

Official Description Of B83

The ICD 10 CM book defines ICD 10 code B83 as:

When To Use B83

The diagnosis described by the ICD 10 CM B83 code is helminthiases which is a type of parasitic infection caused by various worms known as helminths. Although many patients with helminthiases remain asymptomatic, others may exhibit mild to severe symptoms depending on the body system affected by the infection.

Intestinal helminthiases can manifest as digestive issues such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The stool of affected patients may contain mucus and even blood. Other symptoms of this type of helminthiasis include rash, malnutrition, and anemia. Respiratory infections caused by helminths can result in sore throat, cough, fever and headache.

In severe cases, helminthiases can cause damage to various body systems such as the liver, gallbladder, lungs, kidneys, and intestines. Various diagnostic procedures can be undertaken to confirm the infection’s presence in the patient’s system. These may include laboratory tests such as cultures of sputum, blood, stool, and other body fluids, serology tests, and biopsy. Imaging studies such as endoscopy can also be performed as part of the diagnostic process.

As for treatment, anthelminthic drugs such as thiabendazole, mebendazole, albendazole and ivermectin are commonly used. Some of these drugs attack the worms directly while others stimulate the patient’s immune system to fight the infection. The choice of medication will ultimately depend on the type of helminthiasis and the severity of the patient’s symptoms.

Prevention of helminthiases involves proper sanitation and hygiene, avoiding exposure to contaminated soil, water, or food, and wearing protective clothing when in contact with soil that may be contaminated with eggs of parasite worms. Health education efforts aimed at promoting hygienic practices such as washing hands frequently can also be helpful in preventing these infections.

In conclusion, helminthiases can cause mild to severe symptoms depending on the body system affected by the infection which may manifest differently in different individuals. Diagnosis and treatment require the expertise of a medical practitioner, and preventive measures are crucial to avoiding exposure to contaminated environments. With proper care and prompt attention, most patients can recover from helminthiases and avoid complications.