What is this code?
ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99).
When is it used?
- May be used when a clinician documents acute bronchitis in a patient's medical record.
- May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
- This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.
What it does not mean
- A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
- A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
- This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.
Code hierarchy
chapter
10Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
block
J20-J22Other acute lower respiratory infections
currentJ20-J22
Official coding notes
Includes
- acute and subacute bronchitis (with) bronchospasm
- acute and subacute bronchitis (with) tracheitis
- acute and subacute bronchitis (with) tracheobronchitis, acute
- acute and subacute fibrinous bronchitis
- acute and subacute membranous bronchitis
- acute and subacute purulent bronchitis
- acute and subacute septic bronchitis
Excludes1 (do not code together)
- bronchitis NOS (J40)
- tracheobronchitis NOS (J40)
Excludes2 (may code together if documented)
- acute bronchitis with bronchiectasis (J47.0)
- acute bronchitis with chronic obstructive asthma (J44.0)
- acute bronchitis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (J44.0)
- allergic bronchitis NOS (J45.909)
- bronchitis due to chemicals, fumes and vapors (J68.0)
- chronic bronchitis NOS (J42)
- chronic mucopurulent bronchitis (J41.1)
- chronic obstructive bronchitis (J44.-)
- chronic obstructive tracheobronchitis (J44.-)
- chronic simple bronchitis (J41.0)
- chronic tracheobronchitis (J42)
Where you may see this code
You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.
Related specialists
PulmonologistGeneral Physician
Related codes
J20.0Acute bronchitis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniaecodeJ20.1Acute bronchitis due to Hemophilus influenzaecodeJ20.2Acute bronchitis due to streptococcuscodeJ20.3Acute bronchitis due to coxsackieviruscodeJ20.4Acute bronchitis due to parainfluenza viruscodeJ20.5Acute bronchitis due to respiratory syncytial viruscodeJ20.6Acute bronchitis due to rhinoviruscodeJ20.7Acute bronchitis due to echoviruscodeJ20.8Acute bronchitis due to other specified organismscodeJ20.9Acute bronchitis, unspecifiedcode
Coding guidelines
Compatibility
Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.
Legacy codes
J20
Replacement codes
J20.0 — Acute bronchitis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniaeJ20.1 — Acute bronchitis due to Hemophilus influenzaeJ20.2 — Acute bronchitis due to streptococcusJ20.3 — Acute bronchitis due to coxsackievirusJ20.4 — Acute bronchitis due to parainfluenza virusJ20.5 — Acute bronchitis due to respiratory syncytial virusJ20.6 — Acute bronchitis due to rhinovirusJ20.7 — Acute bronchitis due to echovirusJ20.8 — Acute bronchitis due to other specified organismsJ20.9 — Acute bronchitis, unspecified
Common synonyms
Acute bronchitis
Frequently asked questions
About this content
This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.