ICD-10 Code J03.80 – Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J03.80 – Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms
What it is
Use this code for an acute inflammation of the tonsils caused by an organism that is identified but not separately named in the ICD-10 category. It describes a short-term tonsillar infection documented as due to another specified organism.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include sore throat, enlarged or tender tonsils, swallowing pain, and fever. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation, especially when the organism is named or when signs suggest a different throat infection.
When to use this code
Assign J03.80 when the provider documents acute tonsillitis and specifies an organism that does not have its own more specific ICD-10 code. Use it when the record supports an acute infectious tonsillar process, not chronic or recurrent disease.
If the note only says “tonsillitis” without organism detail, check documentation before coding. You may need a different acute tonsillitis code if the organism is not specified or if another diagnosis better explains the encounter.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for chronic tonsillitis, recurrent tonsillitis, or pharyngitis alone. Do not use it when the organism is unspecified or when documentation supports a different throat infection.
Coding tip
Code the documented organism exactly as stated, and verify that the encounter is for acute tonsillitis rather than a broader upper respiratory diagnosis.