Name of the Condition

• Personal history of tuberculosis (ICD-10 code: Z86.11)

Summary

• "Personal history of tuberculosis" refers to individuals who have been treated for and recovered from tuberculosis (TB) in the past. This does not imply current active TB infection but indicates the potential for latent effects or complications arising from previous TB.

Causes

• Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and typically affects the lungs. It's primarily spread through airborne particles when a person with active infection coughs or sneezes.

Risk Factors

• Having had close contact with individuals with active TB.
• Living or traveling in areas with high prevalence of TB.
• Weakened immune systems, such as from HIV/AIDS, increasing the risk of initial infection and reactivation.

Symptoms

• While a personal history of TB involves the absence of current symptoms, past symptoms may have included a persistent cough, night sweats, fever, and weight loss.

Diagnosis

• A personal history of TB is based on the patient's medical history and previous records of TB treatment. It doesn't involve current diagnostic testing unless there's suspicion of reactivation.

Treatment Options

• While no treatment is required for a personal history, ongoing monitoring or prophylactic treatment may be considered if there's a risk of reactivation, especially in individuals with compromised immunity.

Prognosis and Follow-Up

• Most individuals with a history of TB recover fully, though follow-up care includes monitoring for potential complications or reactivation in at-risk populations.

Complications

• Potential long-term complications from TB can include lung damage or scarring and the risk of reactivation, particularly in individuals with suppressed immune systems.

Lifestyle & Prevention

• Regular medical follow-ups if at increased risk for reactivation.
• Maintaining good health and a strong immune system through a healthy lifestyle may minimize risks.

When to Seek Professional Help

• Seek medical attention if mild symptoms indicative of TB, such as persistent cough, reappear, especially in individuals with known risk factors for reactivation.

Additional Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Tuberculosis Information
• World Health Organization (WHO): Tuberculosis

Tips for Medical Coders

• Use Z86.11 for coding when documenting a patient's history of having had TB but lacking any current active infection.
• Avoid confusing with codes for current TB infection or latent TB infection; ensure documented absence of active or latent TB before using this code.