R50

Fever of other and unknown origin

Non-billable header

R50 is a non-billable header code. Use one of the more specific codes below.

Inclusion terms

Includes

  • Note: This chapter includes symptoms, signs, abnormal results of clinical or other investigative procedures, and ill-defined conditions regarding which no diagnosis classifiable elsewhere is recorded.
  • Note: Signs and symptoms that point rather definitely to a given diagnosis have been assigned to a category in other chapters of the classification. In general, categories in this chapter include the less well-defined conditions and symptoms that, without the necessary study of the case to establish a final diagnosis, point perhaps equally to two or more diseases or to two or more systems of the body. Practically all categories in the chapter could be designated 'not otherwise specified', 'unknown etiology' or 'transient'. The Alphabetical Index should be consulted to determine which symptoms and signs are to be allocated here and which to other chapters. The residual subcategories, numbered .8, are generally provided for other relevant symptoms that cannot be allocated elsewhere in the classification.
  • Note: The conditions and signs or symptoms included in categories R00-R94 consist of:
  • Note: (a) cases for which no more specific diagnosis can be made even after all the facts bearing on the case have been investigated;
  • Note: (b) signs or symptoms existing at the time of initial encounter that proved to be transient and whose causes could not be determined;
  • Note: (c) provisional diagnosis in a patient who failed to return for further investigation or care;
  • Note: (d) cases referred elsewhere for investigation or treatment before the diagnosis was made;
  • Note: (e) cases in which a more precise diagnosis was not available for any other reason;
  • Note: (f) certain symptoms, for which supplementary information is provided, that represent important problems in medical care in their own right.

Excludes1

Not coded here — never report together with this code.

  • chills without fever (R68.83)
  • febrile convulsions (R56.0-)
  • fever of unknown origin during labor (O75.2)
  • fever of unknown origin in newborn (P81.9)
  • hypothermia due to illness (R68.0)
  • malignant hyperthermia due to anesthesia (T88.3)
  • puerperal pyrexia NOS (O86.4)

Excludes2

Not included here — may be reported together when both conditions exist.

  • abnormal findings on antenatal screening of mother (O28.-)
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • signs and symptoms classified in the body system chapters
  • signs and symptoms of breast (N63, N64.5)

More specific codes R50

  • R50.2Drug induced feverBillable
  • R50.8Other specified feverHeader
  • R50.9Fever, unspecifiedBillable

Related codes

  • R51HeadacheHeader
  • R52Pain, unspecifiedBillable
  • R53Malaise and fatigueHeader
  • R54Age-related physical debilityBillable
  • R55Syncope and collapseBillable
  • R56Convulsions, not elsewhere classifiedHeader
  • R57Shock, not elsewhere classifiedHeader
  • R58Hemorrhage, not elsewhere classifiedBillable
  • R59Enlarged lymph nodesHeader
  • R60Edema, not elsewhere classifiedHeader
  • R61Generalized hyperhidrosisBillable
  • R62Lack of expected normal physiological development in childhood and adultsHeader
  • R63Symptoms and signs concerning food and fluid intakeHeader
  • R64CachexiaBillable
  • R65Symptoms and signs specifically associated with systemic inflammation and infectionHeader
  • R68Other general symptoms and signsHeader
  • R69Illness, unspecifiedBillable

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