Unspecified acute lower respiratory infection (J22)

The ICD-10 code J22 is used to classify unspecified acute lower respiratory infections, covering infections that affect the lower part of the respiratory system without detailed specification. This code helps identify cases where the exact cause or type of infection is not clearly determined.

This code applies to various acute respiratory infections involving the lower respiratory tract, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, when the precise diagnosis is not available. Synonyms like "acute respiratory infections," "severe acute respiratory infection," and "lower respiratory tract infection" refer to the same general condition that J22 captures. It also includes infections caused by bacteria or viruses, including COVID-19, which is noted under terms like "infection of lower respiratory tract caused by SARS-CoV-2." Medical coders use ICD-10 code J22 when the infection is recognized as acute and lower respiratory but the exact type or pathogen isn't documented, ensuring proper coding even with limited clinical details.