Current RMA Instruments
77 of 2018 | |
78 of 2018 |
Changes from previous Instruments
ICD Coding
- ICD-9-CM Codes: 081.2
- ICD-10-AM Codes: A75.3
Brief description
This is an infection, presenting as an acute febrile illness. It is transmitted by the bite of a trombiculid mite (a small arachnid), which carries the causative organism - Orientia tsutsugamushi (previously called Rickettsia tsutsugamushi). It is endemic in localised areas of Asia/the Pacific rim and is present in geographically focal parts of northern Australia.
Confirming the diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on the clinical presentation, the history of being in an endemic area, and serology or polymerase chain reaction testing. A biopsy of the skin reaction at the site of the bite (eschar) or the subsequent rash may also be undertaken.
Diagnosis can be made by a GP. The relevant medical specialist is an infectious diseases physician.
Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
- Mite born typhus
- Tsutsugamushi fever
Conditions excluded from SOP
- Louse born typhus#
- Murine (flea borne) typhus#
- Q fever#
- Queensland tick typhus#
- Spotted fever#
- Tick borne typhus#
- Typhoid#
- Typhus#
# non-SOP condition
Clinical onset
Time of clinical onset will be based on the symptoms (typically fever, headache, myalgia and rash) which develops typically 7 to 10 days after a bite from an infected mite.
Clinical worsening
The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management. The condition, untreated, generally resolves after 14 to 21 days, although complications may develop and death can occur. The condition usually responds well to appropriate antibiotics.