ICD10
ICD-10 Code J35.0: Chronic tonsillitis and adenoiditis
Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026
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 chronic tonsillitis and adenoiditis 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
J30-J39Other diseases of upper respiratory tract
category
J35Chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids
currentJ35
Official coding notes
Excludes2 (may code together if documented)
- acute tonsillitis (J03.-)
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
Sibling codes
Mapped diagnoses and classifications
SNOMED_CT 195803003high
Caseous tonsillitis
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 232420002high
Chronic adenoiditis
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 195798007high
Chronic adenotonsillitis
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 90979004high
Chronic tonsillitis
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
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
J35.0
Replacement codes
J35.01 — Chronic tonsillitisJ35.02 — Chronic adenoiditisJ35.03 — Chronic tonsillitis and adenoiditis
Common synonyms
Chronic tonsillitis and adenoiditis
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.