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Chapter 10: Diseases of the respiratory system (J00–J99)

Diseases of the airways and lungs: the common cold, flu and pneumonia, asthma, COPD and bronchitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, sleep apnoea and respiratory failure.

Chapter 10 spans codes J00–J99 in the FY2027 ICD-10-CM tabular list. This guide explains 39 of its most common codes — select a code for its official description, a plain-English explanation and a note on when the code is used.

ICD-10 Chapter 10: Respiratory System — illustrative image

Codes in this chapter

CodeOfficial descriptionIn plain words
J00Acute nasopharyngitis [common cold]The common cold: a mild viral infection of the nose and throat causing a blocked or runny nose, sneezing and sore throat.
J01.90Acute sinusitis, unspecifiedAcute sinusitis is sudden inflammation and infection of the air-filled sinuses around the nose, causing facial pain and congestion.
J02.0Streptococcal pharyngitisStreptococcal pharyngitis ('strep throat') is a bacterial throat infection caused by group A streptococcus.
J02.9Acute pharyngitis, unspecifiedAcute pharyngitis is a sore, inflamed throat, most often caused by a virus.
J03.90Acute tonsillitis, unspecifiedAcute tonsillitis is sudden inflammation of the tonsils, causing severe sore throat, fever and pain on swallowing.
J04.0Acute laryngitisAcute laryngitis is inflammation of the voice box (larynx), causing hoarseness or loss of voice.
J06.9Acute upper respiratory infection, unspecifiedAn acute upper respiratory infection is a viral illness of the nose, throat and upper airways (a cold-like illness).
J10.1Influenza due to other identified influenza virus with other respiratory manifestationsInfluenza (flu) from a laboratory-identified influenza virus, with other respiratory symptoms such as cough and sore throat.
J11.1Influenza due to unidentified influenza virus with other respiratory manifestationsInfluenza (flu) diagnosed clinically without the virus being identified, with other respiratory symptoms.
J12.82Pneumonia due to coronavirus disease 2019Pneumonia (lung infection and inflammation) occurring as a complication of COVID-19.
J18.9Pneumonia, unspecified organismPneumonia is infection and inflammation of the air sacs of the lungs, causing cough, fever and breathlessness.
J20.9Acute bronchitis, unspecifiedAcute bronchitis is inflammation of the large airways (bronchi), usually viral, causing a cough that lasts days to weeks.
J21.0Acute bronchiolitis due to respiratory syncytial virusAcute bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), mainly affecting babies and toddlers, with wheezing and feeding difficulty.
J30.1Allergic rhinitis due to pollenAllergic rhinitis caused by pollen (hay fever): sneezing, itchy eyes and a blocked or runny nose in pollen season.
J30.9Allergic rhinitis, unspecifiedAllergic rhinitis is inflammation of the nose lining from an allergy, causing sneezing, itching and congestion.
J32.9Chronic sinusitis, unspecifiedChronic sinusitis is long-term inflammation of the sinuses lasting over 12 weeks, with congestion and facial pressure.
J34.2Deviated nasal septumA deviated nasal septum means the wall between the nostrils is off-centre, which can block airflow on one side.
J35.1Hypertrophy of tonsilsHypertrophy of the tonsils means enlarged tonsils, common in children and a cause of snoring and sleep apnoea.
J40Bronchitis, not specified as acute or chronicBronchitis is inflammation of the airways causing cough; this code is used when it is not recorded as acute or chronic.
J43.9Emphysema, unspecifiedEmphysema is lung damage in which the tiny air sacs are destroyed, trapping air and causing progressive breathlessness.
J44.0Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) lower respiratory infectionChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) occurring together with an acute lower respiratory infection such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
J44.1Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) exacerbationA COPD exacerbation is a flare-up of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with worsening breathlessness, cough and sputum.
J44.9Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecifiedChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term lung condition of airflow limitation, usually from smoking, causing breathlessness.
J45.20Mild intermittent asthma, uncomplicatedMild intermittent asthma: asthma symptoms occur on two or fewer days a week, without a current flare.
J45.30Mild persistent asthma, uncomplicatedMild persistent asthma: symptoms occur more than twice a week but not daily, without a current flare.
J45.40Moderate persistent asthma, uncomplicatedModerate persistent asthma: daily symptoms and some limitation of activity, without a current flare.
J45.50Severe persistent asthma, uncomplicatedSevere persistent asthma: symptoms throughout the day and frequent night waking, without a current flare.
J45.901Unspecified asthma with (acute) exacerbationAn asthma attack (exacerbation): a sudden worsening of asthma with wheezing, cough and breathlessness, in unspecified asthma.
J45.909Unspecified asthma, uncomplicatedAsthma is a long-term condition in which the airways narrow and swell, causing wheezing, cough and breathlessness.
J47.9Bronchiectasis, uncomplicatedBronchiectasis is permanent widening of the airways, leading to a chronic cough with thick sputum and repeated infections.
J69.0Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomitAspiration pneumonitis is lung inflammation and infection caused by inhaling food, drink or vomit into the lungs.
J81.0Acute pulmonary edemaAcute pulmonary oedema is a sudden build-up of fluid in the lungs, usually from heart failure, causing severe breathlessness.
J84.10Pulmonary fibrosis, unspecifiedPulmonary fibrosis is scarring and stiffening of the lung tissue, making breathing progressively harder.
J90Pleural effusion, not elsewhere classifiedA pleural effusion is a build-up of fluid between the lungs and the chest wall, which can cause breathlessness.
J93.9Pneumothorax, unspecifiedA pneumothorax is a collapsed lung caused by air leaking into the space between the lung and chest wall.
J96.01Acute respiratory failure with hypoxiaAcute respiratory failure with hypoxia: the lungs suddenly cannot take in enough oxygen.
J96.02Acute respiratory failure with hypercapniaAcute respiratory failure with hypercapnia: the lungs suddenly cannot clear carbon dioxide adequately.
J96.90Respiratory failure, unspecified, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapniaRespiratory failure means the lungs cannot maintain normal oxygen and carbon dioxide levels; type and cause unspecified here.
J98.11AtelectasisAtelectasis is partial collapse of lung tissue, often after surgery or from a blocked airway, usually temporary.

This guide explains ICD-10-CM codes in plain language for patients, students and other readers. It is educational information only — not coding, billing or medical advice. The code recorded for any real encounter is assigned from the full clinical documentation by the treating team and qualified coders, and only they can decide which code fits a specific case.

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