A82.0 Sylvatic rabies

ICD10CM code

#### Name of the Condition
- Sylvatic Rabies (ICD Code: A82.0)
- Wildlife rabies, Forest rabies

#### Summary
Sylvatic rabies is a viral disease transmitted through the bite of infected wild animals, such as bats, raccoons, and foxes. It is characterized by severe neurological symptoms and, if not treated promptly, is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

#### Causes
The condition is caused by the rabies virus, typically passed to humans through bites or scratches from animals that are infected. The virus can also be transmitted if infected saliva comes into contact with open wounds or mucous membranes.

#### Risk Factors
- Living or working in areas with high wildlife activity
- Frequent outdoor activities such as camping or hiking
- Handling or exposure to wildlife, especially in animal control or veterinary roles
- Traveling to areas where sylvatic rabies is more prevalent

#### Symptoms
- Early symptoms: Fever, headache, weakness, or discomfort
- Advanced symptoms: Anxiety, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, excessive salivation, difficulty swallowing, hydrophobia (fear of water)

#### Diagnosis
- Detailed patient history with potential wildlife exposure
- Direct fluorescent antibody test (dFA) from brain tissue in animals suspected to have rabies
- Saliva, serum, spinal fluid, and skin biopsies from humans for virus detection

#### Treatment Options
- Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with rabies vaccination and immunoglobulin to prevent virus development
- Supportive care for symptomatic cases, as treatment options for active rabies are very limited

#### Prognosis and Follow-Up
- The prognosis is excellent with timely post-exposure prophylaxis.
- Without early intervention, rabies is typically fatal after the onset of symptoms.

#### Complications
- Once clinical symptoms appear, the infection progresses rapidly to respiratory failure and death.
- Neurological complications leading to permanent impairment or disability.

#### Lifestyle & Prevention
- Avoiding contact with wild animals and ensuring pets are vaccinated.
- Public awareness about not feeding or handling stray or wild animals.
- Use of protective gear when handling wildlife, especially in professional settings.

#### When to Seek Professional Help
- Seek immediate medical attention if bitten or scratched by a wild animal, or if any encounter with potentially rabid animals occurs.
- Prompt medical consultation is crucial if early symptoms of rabies are suspected.

#### Additional Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Rabies Page
- World Health Organization (WHO) - Rabies Resources
- Rabies Alliance - Global campaign to end rabies

#### Tips for Medical Coders
- Ensure proper documentation of exposure to wild animals.
- Avoid confusion with domestic rabies (ICD Code: A82.1).
- Use supplementary codes to detail the type of animal exposure when available.

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