ICD-10 Code A40.0 – Sepsis due to streptococcus, group A (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A40.0 – Sepsis due to streptococcus, group A
What it is
A40.0 identifies sepsis caused by group A streptococcal infection. Use it when documentation shows a systemic septic response linked to Streptococcus pyogenes or group A strep.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Typical sepsis findings may include acute infection with systemic illness, altered mental status, or organ dysfunction, and the source may be identified as group A streptococcus.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents sepsis due to group A streptococcus, or when the organism is clearly identified as the cause of sepsis. Code the documented infection source as well, if present and separately reported.
If the record states streptococcal sepsis but does not specify group A, check documentation before assigning A40.0. Do not assume the organism subtype from a nonspecific strep result.
Do not use for
Do not use A40.0 for streptococcal infections without sepsis, or for sepsis caused by other streptococcal groups. Check documentation if the organism is unspecified.
Coding tip
Verify both the sepsis diagnosis and the group A organism in the provider note before coding A40.0.