2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A36.9

Diphtheria, unspecified

  • A36.9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
  • The 2024 edition of ICD-10-CM A36.9 became effective on October 1, 2023.
  • This is the American ICD-10-CM version of A36.9 – other international versions of ICD-10 A36.9 may differ.

The following code(s) above A36.9 contain annotation back-references

 that may be applicable to A36.9:

  • A00-B99  Certain infectious and parasitic diseases

Approximate Synonyms

  • Diphtheria
  • Diphtheria infection

Clinical Information

  • A gram-positive bacterial infection caused by corynebacterium diphtheria. It usually involves the oral cavity, pharynx, and nasal cavity. Patients develop pseudomembranes in the affected areas and manifest signs and symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. The diphtheria toxin may cause myocarditis, polyneuritis, and other systemic effects.
  • A localized infection of mucous membranes or skin caused by toxigenic strains of corynebacterium diphtheriae. It is characterized by the presence of a pseudomembrane at the site of infection. Diphtheria toxin, produced by c. Diphtheriae, can cause myocarditis, polyneuritis, and other systemic toxic effects.
  • Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection. You can catch it from a person who has the infection and coughs or sneezes. It usually affects the nose and throat and causes a bad sore throat, swollen glands, fever and chills. But if it is not properly diagnosed and treated it produces a poison in the body that can cause serious complications such as heart failure or paralysis.the diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (dpt) vaccine can prevent diphtheria, but its protection does not last forever. Adults should get another dose, or booster, every 10 years. Diphtheria is very rare in the United States because of the vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Localized infection of mucous membranes or skin caused by toxigenic strains of corynebacterium diphtheriae; it is characterized by the presence of a pseudomembrane at the site of infection; diphtheria toxin, produced by c. Diphtheriae, can cause myocarditis, polyneuritis, and other systemic toxic effects.

ICD-10-CM A36.9 is grouped within Diagnostic Related Group(s) (MS-DRG v41.0):

  • 867 Other infectious and parasitic diseases diagnoses with mcc
  • 868 Other infectious and parasitic diseases diagnoses with cc
  • 869 Other infectious and parasitic diseases diagnoses without cc/mcc

Convert A36.9 to ICD-9-CMCode History

  • 2016 (effective 10/1/2015): New code (first year of non-draft ICD-10-CM)
  • 2017 (effective 10/1/2016): No change
  • 2018 (effective 10/1/2017): No change
  • 2019 (effective 10/1/2018): No change
  • 2020 (effective 10/1/2019): No change
  • 2021 (effective 10/1/2020): No change
  • 2022 (effective 10/1/2021): No change
  • 2023 (effective 10/1/2022): No change
  • 2024 (effective 10/1/2023): No change

Diagnosis Index entries containing back-references to A36.9: