ICD-10 Code A68.0 – Louse-borne relapsing fever (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A68.0 – Louse-borne relapsing fever
What it is
A68.0 identifies louse-borne relapsing fever, a spirochetal infection spread by body lice. It causes repeated episodes of fever and systemic illness.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include sudden fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and weakness, with symptoms that may recur. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use A68.0 when the provider documents louse-borne relapsing fever or relapsing fever due to body lice. Code it from confirmed diagnosis, not from exposure alone. If the record only says “relapsing fever” without a source, check documentation for the organism or vector.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for tick-borne relapsing fever or unspecified febrile illness. If the chart does not clearly identify louse-borne disease, check documentation.
Coding tip
Look for explicit mention of body lice or louse-borne infection before assigning A68.0.