U18: Emergency use of U18

U18 falls under the emergency codes in the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10). These codes are typically designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to account for new diseases or health emergencies that may not have a pre-existing category or code in the ICD-10. Due to the nature of these situations, diseases classified under U18 can vary greatly in terms of transmission, symptoms, disease progression and affected systems. However, they are generally diseases of urgent public health significance, requiring immediate reporting and action by global health organizations and professionals. Depending on the specific condition, it may be communicable, with human-to-human transmission, or non-communicable, linked to environmental or lifestyle factors, among others. The symptoms can be varied, with certain cases possibly presenting as respiratory illnesses, general physical discomfort, or other types of health conditions. These types of diseases often require a broad and comprehensive response from the medical community and health organizations due to their emergency status.