Find comprehensive information on Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, and healthcare guidelines. Learn about HIV disease progression, AIDS-defining illnesses, and relevant ICD-10 codes for accurate medical record keeping and billing. This resource provides essential information for healthcare professionals, coders, and patients seeking to understand AIDS diagnosis and management.
Also known as
Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease
Conditions caused by the human immunodeficiency virus.
Other infectious and parasitic diseases
Infectious diseases not classified elsewhere, like CMV or toxoplasmosis, often seen in HIV/AIDS.
Asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection status
Indicates a person has tested positive for HIV but shows no symptoms.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the patient documented as having AIDS?
Yes
Is there Kaposi's sarcoma?
No
Is it documented as HIV disease?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Late-stage HIV infection with severe immune deficiency. |
| Infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. |
| HIV infection not progressing to AIDS. |
Coding AIDS without specifying stage (e.g., asymptomatic, symptomatic, progression to AIDS) leads to inaccurate severity reflection and reimbursement.
Miscoding HIV infection as AIDS or vice versa, impacting data integrity for public health reporting and resource allocation.
Failure to capture all AIDS-defining opportunistic infections or coding them incorrectly can affect quality metrics and reimbursement.
Q: What are the latest CDC recommendations for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) initiation and management in adolescents and young adults?
A: The CDC recommends offering PrEP to all adolescents and young adults who report behaviors that increase their risk of HIV acquisition, such as inconsistent condom use with partners of unknown HIV status or injection drug use. Clinicians should assess risk individually and discuss PrEP as a viable prevention strategy. Recent updates emphasize shared decision-making with patients, tailoring the PrEP regimen (daily oral or on-demand), and ensuring adherence support. Explore how the CDC's clinical practice guidelines provide detailed guidance on PrEP eligibility, prescription, monitoring, and follow-up care, including specific recommendations for adolescent and young adult populations.
Q: How can clinicians differentiate between acute HIV infection and other common viral illnesses presenting with similar symptoms like fever, rash, and lymphadenopathy?
A: Acute HIV infection can mimic many common viral illnesses, making diagnosis challenging based solely on clinical presentation. While symptoms like fever, rash, and lymphadenopathy are common, they are not specific to HIV. A thorough sexual history and risk assessment are crucial. Clinicians should consider a fourth-generation HIV antibody/antigen combination test for early detection. If negative but clinical suspicion remains high, repeat testing in 2-4 weeks or HIV RNA testing should be performed. Consider implementing a standardized protocol in your practice to improve early HIV diagnosis and prompt initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is essential for optimal patient outcomes. Learn more about the CDC's diagnostic testing algorithm for HIV infection.
Patient presents with signs and symptoms suggestive of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a late stage of HIV infection. The patient reports experiencing opportunistic infections, including recent episodes of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) and oral candidiasis (thrush). Weight loss, fatigue, and lymphadenopathy are also noted. Laboratory findings reveal a significantly depleted CD4 T-cell count (below 200 cells/mm3) confirming the diagnosis of AIDS. HIV viral load is elevated. The patient's medical history includes a prior diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, though adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is reportedly inconsistent. Differential diagnoses considered included other immunodeficiency disorders, but the clinical picture and laboratory results are consistent with AIDS. The patient's current presentation necessitates initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to manage HIV viral load and improve immune function. Patient education regarding medication adherence, opportunistic infection prophylaxis, and lifestyle modifications to support immune health will be provided. Referral to infectious disease specialist and social services for support and resources will be made. Prognosis is dependent on response to HAART and management of opportunistic infections. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor CD4 count, viral load, and overall clinical status. ICD-10 code B20 will be used for billing and coding purposes. This documentation supports medical necessity for ongoing HIV care and treatment.