ICD-10 Code J03.91 – Acute recurrent tonsillitis, unspecified (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J03.91 – Acute recurrent tonsillitis, unspecified
What it is
J03.91 identifies recurrent episodes of acute tonsillitis when the type is not further specified. Use it for repeated inflammation of the tonsils with an acute presentation, but no documented organism or other qualifying detail.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include sore throat, enlarged or erythematous tonsils, and painful swallowing. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for recurrence pattern and whether the episode is acute rather than chronic.
When to use this code
Use this code when the record states recurrent acute tonsillitis and the provider does not name a more specific cause or subtype. It also fits when the note confirms repeated tonsillar infections but leaves the episode otherwise unspecified. Check documentation if chronic tonsillitis is considered.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for chronic tonsillitis, peritonsillar abscess, or a single isolated episode of tonsillitis. If the documentation identifies a specific organism or another more precise diagnosis, code that instead.
Coding tip
Confirm that “recurrent” is documented; if not, you may need a different acute tonsillitis code.