ICD-10 Code J03.8 – Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J03.8 – Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms
What it is
J03.8 identifies an acute tonsillar infection caused by an organism not named in the code title. Use it when the record clearly states acute tonsillitis and specifies another causative organism.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include sore throat, enlarged or inflamed tonsils, painful swallowing, and fever. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for the documented organism and whether the episode is acute.
When to use this code
Use J03.8 when the provider documents acute tonsillitis and names a specific organism other than those assigned to a more exact code. It also fits when the note supports an acute bacterial or other specified infectious cause. If the organism is not documented, check documentation before assigning this code.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for chronic tonsillitis, recurrent tonsillitis, or nonspecific pharyngitis. If the record names a different tonsillitis type or the organism is not supported, choose the more accurate code or check documentation.
Coding tip
Capture both the acute nature and the named organism in the record before assigning J03.8.