What is the ICD-10 code for Acute nasopharyngitis [common cold]?

The ICD-10-CM code for Acute nasopharyngitis [common cold] is J00 (fiscal year 2026). It is a billable diagnosis code.

What does ICD-10 code J00 mean?

J00 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Acute nasopharyngitis [common cold]. Acute nasopharyngitis [common cold]

Is J00 a billable ICD-10 code?

Yes, J00 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can be used on medical claims.

What chapter is J00 in?

J00 is classified under Chapter 10: Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99), Section J00-J06: Acute upper respiratory infections (J00-J06).

What are the includes and excludes for J00?

Excludes1 (not coded here): acute pharyngitis (J02.-); acute sore throat NOS (J02.9); influenza virus with other respiratory manifestations (J09.X2, J10.1, J11.1). Excludes2 (not included here): allergic rhinitis (J30.1-J30.9); chronic pharyngitis (J31.2); chronic rhinitis (J31.0).

J00 Acute nasopharyngitis [common cold]

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The ICD-10-CM code for Acute nasopharyngitis [common cold] is J00 (FY2026). It is a billable, claim-ready diagnosis code.

Classification

Chapter: 10: Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
Section: J00-J06: Acute upper respiratory infections (J00-J06)
Category J00: 1 code (1 billable)
FY2026 Status: Stable since FY2024

Also Known As

ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index entries that lead to J00:

Coryza (acute)
Catarrh, catarrhal (acute) (febrile) (infectious) (inflammation)
Cold
Nasopharyngitis (acute) (infective) (streptococcal) (subacute)
Cold › symptoms
Cold › virus
Cold › common (head)
Cold › head

Excludes1

Not coded here. These conditions should NOT be coded together with J00.

acute pharyngitis (J02.-)
acute sore throat NOS (J02.9)
influenza virus with other respiratory manifestations (J09.X2, J10.1, J11.1)
pharyngitis NOS (J02.9)
rhinitis NOS (J31.0)
sore throat NOS (J02.9)

Excludes2

Not included here. These conditions are coded elsewhere but may be coded together if applicable.

allergic rhinitis (J30.1-J30.9)
chronic pharyngitis (J31.2)
chronic rhinitis (J31.0)
chronic sore throat (J31.2)
nasopharyngitis, chronic (J31.1)
vasomotor rhinitis (J30.0)

Inclusion Terms

Acute rhinitis
Coryza (acute)
Infective nasopharyngitis NOS
Infective rhinitis
Nasal catarrh, acute
Nasopharyngitis NOS

U.S. Hospital Utilization

An estimated 7,320 U.S. inpatient stays in 2023 included J00 among the documented diagnoses.
240 stays listed it as the principal diagnosis.

Source: National Inpatient Sample (NIS), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2016–2023. National survey-weighted estimates.

Official Coding Guidelines

Chapter 10 header (context)

10. Chapter 10: Diseases of the Respiratory System (J00-J99), U07.0

— ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2026, Section I.C.10

COPD/asthma: acute exacerbation vs uncomplicated

a. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD] and Asthma 1) Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive bronchitis and asthma The codes in categories J44 and J45 distinguish between uncomplicated cases and those in acute exacerbation. An acute exacerbation is a worsening or a decompensation of a chronic condition. An acute exacerbation is not equivalent to an infection superimposed on a chronic condition, though an exacerbation may be triggered by an infection.

— ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2026, Section I.C.10.a.1

Source: CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2026