ICD-10 Code A54.5 – Gonococcal Pharyngitis (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A54.5 – Gonococcal pharyngitis
What it is
A54.5 identifies gonococcal infection of the pharynx, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Use it when the diagnosis is documented as gonococcal pharyngitis or pharyngeal gonorrhea.
Clinical signs
Patients may have sore throat, pharyngeal erythema, or no symptoms at all. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation, and confirm the infection site is the pharynx.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents gonococcal infection limited to the throat, including positive testing or a clear clinical diagnosis. It is appropriate for confirmed pharyngeal gonorrhea in outpatient, emergency, or inpatient records. If the site is not specified, check documentation before coding.
Do not use for
Do not use A54.5 for nonspecific pharyngitis, strep throat, or gonorrhea at another anatomic site. If the record does not support a gonococcal throat infection, check documentation.
Coding tip
Verify both the organism and the anatomic site; “gonorrhea” alone is not enough for A54.5.