What does ICD-10 code B51 mean?

ICD-10 code B51 is the standardized code used for plasmodium vivax malaria in medical records and coding systems.

When is ICD-10 code B51 used?

Doctors, hospitals, and insurers may use ICD-10 code B51 when recording plasmodium vivax malaria in a standardized format. This entry may also act as a broader category that points toward more specific child codes.

Does ICD-10 code B51 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 B51: Plasmodium vivax malaria

Name: ICD-10 Code B51: Plasmodium vivax malaria
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-21T06:01:24.404Z

B51 is an ICD-10 diagnosis entry used to group records related to Plasmodium vivax malaria. 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 plasmodium vivax malaria 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

B50-B64Protozoal diseases

currentB50-B64

Official coding notes

Includes

mixed infections of Plasmodium vivax with other Plasmodium species, except Plasmodium falciparum

Excludes1 (do not code together)

plasmodium vivax with Plasmodium falciparum (B50.-)

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

B50Plasmodium falciparum malaria B52Plasmodium malariae malaria B53Other specified malaria B54Unspecified malariabillable B55Leishmaniasis B56African trypanosomiasis B57Chagas' disease B58Toxoplasmosis B59Pneumocystosisbillable B60Other protozoal diseases, not elsewhere classified B64Unspecified protozoal diseasebillable

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

B51

Replacement codes

B51.0 — Plasmodium vivax malaria with rupture of spleenB51.8 — Plasmodium vivax malaria with other complicationsB51.9 — Plasmodium vivax malaria without complication

Common synonyms

Plasmodium vivax malaria

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.