ICD-10 Code J04.2 – Acute laryngotracheitis (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J04.2 – Acute laryngotracheitis
What it is
J04.2 identifies an acute inflammation of the larynx and trachea. Use it when documentation describes a short-term upper airway infection affecting both structures.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include hoarseness, barking cough, and noisy breathing from upper airway inflammation. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use J04.2 when the provider documents acute laryngotracheitis, croup, or a similar acute inflammatory process involving the larynx and trachea. Apply it when the record supports an acute condition rather than a chronic disorder or isolated laryngitis. Check documentation if the site or acuity is unclear.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for chronic laryngeal disease, simple laryngitis, or tracheitis without laryngeal involvement. If the diagnosis is uncertain, check documentation.
Coding tip
Confirm that both the larynx and trachea are documented before assigning J04.2.