ICD-10 Code J05 – Acute obstructive laryngitis [croup] and epiglottitis (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J05 – Acute obstructive laryngitis [croup] and epiglottitis
What it is
Use J05 for acute obstructive inflammation of the upper airway, including croup and epiglottitis. These conditions can narrow the laryngeal or supraglottic airway and cause breathing difficulty.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include hoarseness, barking cough, inspiratory stridor, or signs of upper-airway obstruction. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation, especially when epiglottitis is suspected.
When to use this code
Assign this code when the provider documents acute obstructive laryngitis, croup, or epiglottitis as the diagnosis. Use it for encounters focused on the acute airway condition, even if the note emphasizes respiratory distress. If the record is unclear, check documentation before coding.
Do not use for
Do not use J05 for chronic laryngeal disorders, nonobstructive laryngitis, or lower respiratory infections. If the provider documents a different specific diagnosis, code that condition instead.
Coding tip
Read the assessment carefully and code the documented acute upper-airway diagnosis exactly as stated.