2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J02.9Acute pharyngitis, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J00-J06›J02

ICD-10-CM J02.9
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

J02.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for acute pharyngitis, unspecified. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 152 through 153. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified upper respiratory infections.

This medical diagnosis code is frequently used in Family Practice, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics medical specialties to designate conditions such acute respiratory infections.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
J02.9
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Acute pharyngitis, unspecified
Short Description
Acute pharyngitis, unspecified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
J02
Acute pharyngitis

Code Classification

ChapterJ00–J99Diseases of the respiratory system
SectionJ00-J06Acute upper respiratory infections
CategoryJ02Acute pharyngitis
This CodeJ02.9Acute pharyngitis, unspecified

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Acute bacterial pharyngitis
  • Acute gangrenous pharyngitis
  • Acute pharyngitis
  • Acute phlegmonous pharyngitis
  • Acute ulcerative pharyngitis
  • Acute viral pharyngitis
  • Aphthous ulcer of mouth
  • Cervical lymphadenitis
  • Complex multigenic autoinflammatory syndrome
  • Exudative pharyngitis
  • Finding of sensation of pharynx
  • Gangrenous pharyngitis
  • Has a sore throat
  • Infective pharyngitis
  • Pain in throat
  • PFAPA syndrome
  • Pharyngeal diverticulitis
  • Pharyngitis
  • Pharyngotonsillitis
  • Phlegmonous pharyngitis
  • Recurrent aphthous ulcer
  • Recurrent ulcer of mouth
  • Redness of throat
  • Sore throat
  • Soreness
  • Suppurative pharyngitis
  • Ulcer of pharynx
  • Ulcerative pharyngitis

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • Gangrenous pharyngitis (acute)
  • Infective pharyngitis (acute) NOS
  • Pharyngitis (acute) NOS
  • Sore throat (acute) NOS
  • Suppurative pharyngitis (acute)
  • Ulcerative pharyngitis (acute)

Type 1 Excludes

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Faucitis
    • Necrosis, necrotic(ischemic)
      • pharynx
    • Pharyngitis(acute) (catarrhal)(gangrenous) (infective) (malignant) (membranous) (phlegmonous) (pseudomembranous) (simple) (subacute) (suppurative) (ulcerative) (viral)
    • Pharyngitis(acute) (catarrhal)(gangrenous) (infective) (malignant) (membranous) (phlegmonous) (pseudomembranous) (simple) (subacute) (suppurative) (ulcerative) (viral)
      • purulent
    • Pharyngitis(acute) (catarrhal)(gangrenous) (infective) (malignant) (membranous) (phlegmonous) (pseudomembranous) (simple) (subacute) (suppurative) (ulcerative) (viral)
      • putrid
    • Ulcer, ulcerated, ulcerating, ulceration, ulcerative
      • sore throat

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR RSP006
Other specified upper respiratory infections
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Pharyngitis

    inflammation of the throat (pharynx).

  • Pharynx

    a funnel-shaped fibromuscular tube that conducts food to the esophagus, and air to the larynx and lungs. it is located posterior to the nasal cavity; oral cavity; and larynx, and extends from the skull base to the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage anteriorly and to the inferior border of the c6 vertebra posteriorly. it is divided into the nasopharynx; oropharynx; and hypopharynx (laryngopharynx).

  • Acute Pharyngitis

    an acute and painful inflammatory process that affects the pharynx. it is usually caused by viruses and less often bacteria. signs and symptoms include discomfort on swallowing, low-grade fever, headache, and earache.

  • Cervical Lymphadenitis

    inflammation of the cervical lymph nodes.

  • Bothered by Sore Muscles|Bothered by Muscle Soreness|Have you, during the past week, been bothered by sore muscles

    a question about whether an individual is or was bothered by sore muscles.

  • Extent Have Soreness in Mouth|Extent of Soreness in Mouth|Have you had soreness in your mouth

    a question about the extent to which an individual has or had soreness in their mouth.

  • FACIT-Searchable Item Library Adult Version - Pain/Soreness/Aches in Some Muscles|FSIL-Pain/Soreness/Aches in Some Muscles|FSIL-Pain/Soreness/Aches in Some Muscles|FSIL0420

    functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-searchable item library adult version (facit-searchable item library adult version) i feel pain, soreness or aches in some of my muscles.

  • Feel Pain, Soreness, or Aches in Some Areas of Body|I feel pain, soreness or aches in some areas of my body

    a question about whether an individual feels or felt pain, soreness, or aches in some areas of their body.

  • Have Vaginal Soreness|Soreness|Vaginal Soreness

    a question about whether an individual has or had vaginal soreness.

  • Have Vulvar Soreness|Soreness|Vulvar Soreness

    a question about whether an individual has or had vulvar soreness.

  • KDQOL-36 Version 1 - Bothered by Soreness in Muscles|KDQ1-Bothered by Soreness in Muscles|KDQ1-Bothered by Soreness in Muscles|KDQ117

    kidney disease and quality of life-36 version 1 (kdqol-36 version 1) during the past 4 weeks, to what extent were you bothered by each of the following: soreness in your muscles?

  • PHQ Screener Version - Muscle Tension|PHQ03-Muscle Tension/Aches/Soreness|PHQ03-Muscle Tension/Aches/Soreness|PHQ0305D

    patient health questionnaire screener version (phq screener version) over the last 4 weeks, how often have you been bothered by muscle tension, aches, or soreness?

  • Pregnancy Related Breast Soreness|Pregnancy Breast Soreness

    the tenderness of the breasts during pregnancy due to changes in the hormonal levels and increased breast tissue growth.

  • Soreness

    a dull achy pain.

  • A Little Soreness Answer|A Little Soreness|A little soreness

    a response indicating that an individual has or had a little soreness.

  • Bothered by Sore Muscles Question|Bothered by Muscle Soreness|Bothered by Sore Muscles|Have you, during the past week, been bothered by sore muscles

    a question about whether an individual is or was bothered by sore muscles.

  • EORTC QLQ-ANL27 - Soreness in Areas Treated|EOR30-Soreness in Areas Treated|EOR30-Soreness in Areas Treated|EOR3037

    european organization for the research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire - anal cancer 27 items (eortc qlq-anl27) during the past week: have you had soreness in the areas that have been treated?

  • EORTC QLQ-BR42 - Soreness in Mouth|EOR35-Soreness in Mouth|EOR35-Soreness in Mouth|EOR3557

    european organization for the research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire - breast cancer 42 items (eortc qlq-br42) during the past week: have you had soreness in your mouth?

  • EORTC QLQ-H and N43 Phase IV Module Version - Soreness in Mouth|EOR36-Soreness in Mouth|EOR36-Soreness in Mouth|EOR3633

    european organization for the research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire - head and neck cancer phase iv module version 43 items (eortc qlq-h and n43 phase iv module version) during the past week: have you had soreness in your mouth?

  • Extent Have Soreness in Mouth Question|Extent Have Soreness in Mouth|Extent of Soreness in Mouth|Have you had soreness in your mouth

    a question about the extent to which an individual has or had soreness in their mouth.

  • Extreme Soreness Answer|Extreme Soreness|Extreme soreness

    a response indicating that an individual has or had extreme soreness.

  • Feel Pain, Soreness, or Aches in Some Areas of Body Question|Feel Pain, Soreness, or Aches in Some Areas of Body|I feel pain, soreness or aches in some areas of my body

    a question about whether an individual feels or felt pain, soreness, or aches in some areas of their body.

  • Have Vaginal Soreness Question|Have Vaginal Soreness|Soreness|Vaginal Soreness

    a question about whether an individual has or had vaginal soreness.

  • Have Vulvar Soreness Question|Have Vulvar Soreness|Soreness|Vulvar Soreness

    a question about whether an individual has or had vulvar soreness.

  • How Much Mouth and Throat Soreness Limits Drinking Question|How Much Mouth and Throat Soreness Limits Drinking|How much did MOUTH AND THROAT SORENESS limit drinking

    a question about how much mouth and throat soreness limits or limited an individual's drinking.

  • How Much Mouth and Throat Soreness Limits Eating Question|How Much Mouth and Throat Soreness Limits Eating|How much did MOUTH AND THROAT SORENESS limit eating

    a question about how much mouth and throat soreness limits or limited an individual's eating.

  • How Much Mouth and Throat Soreness Limits Sleeping Question|How Much Mouth and Throat Soreness Limits Sleeping|How much did MOUTH AND THROAT SORENESS limit sleeping

    a question about how much mouth and throat soreness limits or limited an individual's sleeping.

  • How Much Mouth and Throat Soreness Limits Swallowing Question|How Much Mouth and Throat Soreness Limits Swallowing|How much did MOUTH AND THROAT SORENESS limit swallowing

    a question about how much mouth and throat soreness limits or limited an individual's swallowing.

  • How Much Mouth and Throat Soreness Limits Talking Question|How Much Mouth and Throat Soreness Limits Talking|How much did MOUTH AND THROAT SORENESS limit talking

    a question about how much mouth and throat soreness limits or limited an individual's talking.

  • How Much Mouth and Throat Soreness Limits Tooth Brushing Question|How Much Mouth and Throat Soreness Limits Tooth Brushing|How much did MOUTH AND THROAT SORENESS limit brushing your teeth

    a question about how much mouth and throat soreness limits or limited an individual's tooth brushing.

  • How Much Mouth and Throat Soreness Question|How Much Mouth and Throat Soreness|How much MOUTH AND THROAT SORENESS did you experience in the past week

    a question about the amount of mouth and throat soreness that an individual is experiencing or has experienced.

  • Moderate Soreness Answer|Moderate Soreness|Moderate soreness

    a response indicating that an individual has or had moderate soreness.

  • Muscle Soreness

    achiness of the muscles.

  • No Soreness Answer|No Soreness|No soreness

    a response indicating that an individual has or had no soreness.

  • Overall Mouth and Throat Soreness Rating Question|On a scale from 0 to 10, how would you rate your OVERALL MOUTH AND THROAT SORENESS|Overall Mouth and Throat Soreness Rating

    a question about an individual's overall rating of their mouth and throat soreness on a scale of 1 through 10.

  • Quite a Lot of Soreness Answer|Quite a Lot of Soreness|Quite a lot of soreness

    a response indicating that an individual has or had quite a lot of soreness.

  • Soreness Scale|Soreness Likert Scale

    soreness likert scale

  • Soreness Score 0|0 - No soreness

    a response of 0 on a soreness scale that ranges from 0: no soreness to 10: worst possible soreness.

  • Soreness Score 1|1

    a response of 1 on a soreness scale that ranges from 0: no soreness to 10: worst possible soreness.

  • Soreness Score 10|10 - Worst possible soreness

    a response of 10 on a soreness scale that ranges from 0: no soreness to 10: worst possible soreness.

  • Soreness Score 2|2

    a response of 2 on a soreness scale that ranges from 0: no soreness to 10: worst possible soreness.

  • Soreness Score 3|3

    a response of 3 on a soreness scale that ranges from 0: no soreness to 10: worst possible soreness.

  • Soreness Score 4|4

    a response of 4 on a soreness scale that ranges from 0: no soreness to 10: worst possible soreness.

  • Soreness Score 5|5

    a response of 5 on a soreness scale that ranges from 0: no soreness to 10: worst possible soreness.

  • Soreness Score 6|6

    a response of 6 on a soreness scale that ranges from 0: no soreness to 10: worst possible soreness.

  • Soreness Score 7|7

    a response of 7 on a soreness scale that ranges from 0: no soreness to 10: worst possible soreness.

  • Soreness Score 8|8

    a response of 8 on a soreness scale that ranges from 0: no soreness to 10: worst possible soreness.

  • Soreness Score 9|9

    a response of 9 on a soreness scale that ranges from 0: no soreness to 10: worst possible soreness.

Patient EducationClinical

Sore Throat

Your throat is a tube that carries food to your esophagus and air to your windpipe and larynx (also called the voice box). The technical name for the throat is pharynx.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert J02.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
462 Acute pharyngitis
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About J02.9Overview

Is J02.9 (Acute pharyngitis) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report acute pharyngitis, unspecified on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does J02.9 group to?

When acute pharyngitis, unspecified is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 152, 153, with relative weights from 0.7382 to 1.1822 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of J02.9?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, acute pharyngitis, unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 462 (acute pharyngitis). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.