ICD-10-CM J03: Acute tonsillitis

ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code (2025)

Official Description for J03

Acute tonsillitis

Coding Notes & Guidelines for J03

Excludes1: Not Coded Here
  • acute sore throat (J02.-)
  • hypertrophy of tonsils (J35.1)
  • peritonsillar abscess (J36)
  • sore throat NOS (J02.9)
  • streptococcal sore throat (J02.0)
Excludes1: Not Coded Here
  • diphtheritic tonsillitis (A36.0)
  • herpesviral pharyngotonsillitis (B00.2)
  • streptococcal tonsillitis (J03.0)
  • tuberculous tonsillitis (A15.8)
  • Vincent's tonsillitis (A69.1)
Excludes1: Not Coded Here

influenza virus with other respiratory manifestations (J09.X2, J10.1, J11.1)

Excludes2: Not Included Here

chronic tonsillitis (J35.0)

Use Additional Code

code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent.

Inclusion Terms
  • Follicular tonsillitis (acute)
  • Gangrenous tonsillitis (acute)
  • Infective tonsillitis (acute)
  • Tonsillitis (acute) NOS
  • Ulcerative tonsillitis (acute)

Child Codes (More Specific Codes for J03):

J03.0 - Streptococcal tonsillitis J03.00 - Acute streptococcal tonsillitis, unspecified J03.01 - Acute recurrent streptococcal tonsillitis J03.8 - Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms J03.80 - Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms J03.81 - Acute recurrent tonsillitis due to other specified organisms J03.9 - Acute tonsillitis, unspecified J03.90 - Acute tonsillitis, unspecified J03.91 - Acute recurrent tonsillitis, unspecified

About ICD-10-CM Code J03 (Acute tonsillitis)

ICD-10-CM code J03 is a billable or specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2025 edition of ICD-10-CM J03 became effective on October 1, 2024.

This page provides detailed information about J03 - Acute tonsillitis. It includes common terminology, coding guidelines such as "Includes," "Excludes1," and "Excludes2" notes, and information on required 7th characters. Utilizing this information correctly is essential for accurate medical coding and claims submission for conditions like Acute tonsillitis.