Acute vaginitis

This code identifies an acute inflammation of the vagina, characterized by symptoms such as vaginal discharge, itching, irritation, and dyspareunia. It typically results from an infection (bacterial, fungal, or parasitic) or chemical irritants, with a sudden onset and short duration.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates a new or recent onset of vaginitis, often accompanied by specific infectious agents identified through laboratory testing (e.g., wet mount, culture) or clinical presentation. It is appropriate for initial encounters and acute exacerbations of vaginitis.

• Differentiate from chronic vaginitis (N76.1) based on duration and recurrence.
• Code any underlying infectious organism (e.g., B96.89 for other specified bacterial agents) as an additional diagnosis, if identified.
• Ensure documentation specifies "acute" to support the use of this code over other vaginitis codes.