A03.1

What This Code Means

A bacterial infection of the intestines caused by Shigella flexneri bacteria, which spreads through contaminated food or water and causes severe diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. This is a contagious disease that primarily affects the digestive system.

Coding Tips

• •Verify the specific Shigella species (flexneri) is documented in the medical record before assigning this code, as different species have different codes (A03.0, A03.1, A03.2, A03.3, A03.9)
• •Document any complications such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, or systemic manifestations separately, as these may require additional codes