What does ICD-10 code A49 mean?

ICD-10 code A49 is the standardized code used for bacterial infection of unspecified site in medical records and coding systems.

When is ICD-10 code A49 used?

Doctors, hospitals, and insurers may use ICD-10 code A49 when recording bacterial infection of unspecified site in a standardized format. This entry may also act as a broader category that points toward more specific child codes.

Does ICD-10 code A49 confirm a diagnosis?

No. A code helps standardize documentation and claims, but it should not be read as a substitute for a clinician's full assessment.

ICD10

ICD-10 Code A49: Bacterial infection of unspecified site

Name: ICD-10 Code A49: Bacterial infection of unspecified site
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-21T06:00:29.189Z

A49 is an ICD-10 diagnosis entry used to group records related to Bacterial infection of unspecified site. You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen. ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 21 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99).

When is it used?

May be used when a clinician documents bacterial infection of unspecified site in a patient's medical record.
May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.

What it does not mean

A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.

Code hierarchy

chapter

1Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)

block

A30-A49Other bacterial diseases

currentA30-A49

Official coding notes

Excludes1 (do not code together)

bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere (B95-B96)
chlamydial infection NOS (A74.9)
meningococcal infection NOS (A39.9)
rickettsial infection NOS (A79.9)
spirochetal infection NOS (A69.9)

Where you may see this code

You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.

Related specialists

Infectious Disease SpecialistGeneral Physician

Sibling codes

A30Leprosy [Hansen's disease]A31Infection due to other mycobacteria A32Listeriosis A33Tetanus neonatorumbillable A34Obstetrical tetanusbillable A35Other tetanusbillable A36Diphtheria A37Whooping cough A38Scarlet fever A39Meningococcal infection A40Streptococcal sepsis A41Other sepsis A42Actinomycosis A43Nocardiosis A44Bartonellosis A46Erysipelasbillable A48Other bacterial diseases, not elsewhere classified

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.

Legacy codes

A49

Replacement codes

A49.1 — Streptococcal infection, unspecified siteA49.2 — Hemophilus influenzae infection, unspecified siteA49.3 — Mycoplasma infection, unspecified siteA49.8 — Other bacterial infections of unspecified siteA49.9 — Bacterial infection, unspecified

Common synonyms

Bacterial infection of unspecified siteBacterial infection of site

Frequently asked questions

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.