ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A49 - Bacterial infection of unspecified site (original) (raw)
ICD List 2025-2026 Edition
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- 2026 ICD-10-CM Code A49
Bacterial infection of unspecified site
ICD-10-CM Code:
A49
ICD-10 Code for:
Bacterial infection of unspecified site
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:
A49 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity from the list below for a diagnosis of bacterial infection of unspecified site. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2026 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.
Unspecified diagnosis codes like A49 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.
Non-specific codes like A49 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following billable codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for bacterial infection of unspecified site:
A49.0 for Staphylococcal infection, unspecified site
Use A49.01 for Methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus infection, unspecified site
Use A49.02 for Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection, unspecified site
Use A49.1 for Streptococcal infection, unspecified site
Use A49.2 for Hemophilus influenzae infection, unspecified site
Use A49.3 for Mycoplasma infection, unspecified site
Use A49.8 for Other bacterial infections of unspecified site
Use A49.9 for Bacterial infection, unspecified
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A00–B99
Bacterial Infections
What are bacteria?
Bacteria are tiny organisms (living things) that have only one cell. Under a microscope, they look like balls, rods, or spirals. They can be found almost everywhere on Earth. There are lots of bacteria in and on your body. In fact, your body has about 10 times more bacteria cells than human cells.
There are many different types of bacteria. Most types don't make you sick. Some types are helpful. For example, "good" bacteria in your digestive system can help your body digest food and absorb vitamins and minerals. They can help protect you from getting sick. Bacteria are also used in making foods like yogurt and cheese.
But some types of bacteria can cause an infection and make you sick. They are called infectious bacteria. These bacteria can reproduce quickly in your body. Many of them give off toxins (poisons) that can damage your cells and make you sick. Other types can move into and damage your tissues. A few examples of bacteria that cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli.
How do bacterial infections spread?
There are different ways that bacterial infections may spread:
- Through droplets and particles that are breathed out by someone who has the infection. You might breathe in the droplets or particles, or they could land on your mouth, nose, or eyes.
- By touching surfaces or objects that have the bacteria on them and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
- Through cuts, scrapes, and skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the infection.
- From the pregnant parent to the baby during pregnancy.
- Through contaminated food or water.
- By being bitten by an infected insect or animal.
- Through sexual contact (usually vaginal, anal and oral sex) with someone who has the infection.
What are the treatments for bacterial infections?
Sometimes your immune system may be able to fight off a bacterial infection. But when you do need treatment, it will be with antibiotics.
When you take antibiotics, follow the directions carefully. Each time you take them, there is a risk that the bacteria will become resistant to the effects of the antibiotics. This is called antibiotic resistance. When this happens, the bacteria are not killed, and they continue to grow. They can cause resistant infections, which can be difficult, and sometimes impossible, to treat.
Can bacterial infections be prevented?
You can help prevent some bacterial infections by:
- Getting vaccines that protect against bacterial infections.
- Having good hygiene habits. These include washing your hands often and covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Paying attention to food safety.
- Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that your frequently touch.
- Preventing insect bites by using a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent. when you go outdoors. If you travel to an area that has a high risk of diseases from insect bites, also wear long pants, shirts, and socks.
- Practicing safe sex. This means using a latex condom every time you have anal, vaginal, or oral sex. If your or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms.
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
FY 2026 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2025 through 9/30/2026
FY 2025 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2024 through 9/30/2025
FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.