ICD-10 Code J20.6 – Acute bronchitis due to rhinovirus (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J20.6 – Acute bronchitis due to rhinovirus
What it is
J20.6 identifies acute bronchitis caused by rhinovirus. Use it when the record shows an acute lower respiratory tract infection with bronchial inflammation linked to rhinovirus.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include cough, chest discomfort, and mucus production with acute onset. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for the confirmed viral cause and bronchitis diagnosis.
When to use this code
Use J20.6 when the provider documents acute bronchitis and specifically names rhinovirus as the cause. It is appropriate when the diagnosis is supported by clinical assessment or testing in the chart. If the organism is not documented, check documentation before assigning this code.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for simple upper respiratory infection, common cold, or bronchitis without a documented rhinovirus cause. Do not assign it when the record only says “viral bronchitis” or the cause is unclear.
Coding tip
Code the documented organism only when the provider clearly links rhinovirus to the acute bronchitis diagnosis.