What is Flu with manifestation NEC?

Answer 1

This sounds like the narrative description given for code 487.8 of the ICD-9-CM diagnosis and procedure coding system, which is used in medical billing and reports.

Flu is the shortened form of influenza, the infectious respiratory disease caused by the influenza viruses. When flu manifestations are discussed, it is a discussion of what the symptoms or signs of that infection were and/or what secondary conditions it caused in that infected individual. The typical symptoms are upper respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose with nasal congestion, laryngitis, pharyngitis, and fever, aches, fatigue and malaise. When this is the diagnosis with the typical manifestations, then the code 487.1 is used, which stands for Influenza with other respiratory manifestations. Code 487.0 is influenza with the manifestation of pneumonia.

If there are manifestations of a complication, secondary condition, or sign or symptom caused by the infection that are not typical of the "run-of-the-mill" ordinary flu, then code 487.8 is used (and the code for the specific manifestation might be also coded in some situations along with 487.8.)

In the ICD-9-CM coding jargon, "NEC" means: Not Elsewhere Classified. This indicates that, although this code may not be exactly describing the specific manifestation, there is not another code/classification to use that is more specific. There isn't a code for every single manifestation of every single disease, so NEC helps a coder know there is no better code to hunt for in that situation. Some examples of conditions that would be coded to 487.8, Influenza with other manifestations (NEC) are: Encephalopathy due to influenza, and Influenza with involvement of the gastrointestinal tract.