Chronic tonsillitis

This code signifies a persistent, long-term inflammation of the tonsils, characterized by recurrent episodes of infection or chronic irritation. Patients often present with symptoms such as sore throat, difficulty swallowing, halitosis, and enlarged tonsils, which may or may not be actively infected at the time of diagnosis.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of chronic tonsillitis, often supported by a history of multiple acute tonsillitis episodes or ongoing tonsillar inflammation. This code is appropriate for patients undergoing evaluation for tonsillectomy due to chronic issues, or for managing long-term tonsillar symptoms.

• Differentiate from acute tonsillitis (J03.-) which represents a sudden onset, short-term infection.
• Ensure documentation specifies "chronic" to support this code; "recurrent" alone may require further clarification.
• If tonsillitis is due to a specific organism, code the organism first, if known and documented.