A36.9

What This Code Means

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae that typically affects the throat and can produce a thick, grayish membrane that blocks the airway. This code is used when diphtheria is diagnosed but the specific type or affected site is not documented.

Coding Tips

• •If the documentation specifies the site of diphtheria (respiratory, cutaneous, etc.), use a more specific code (A36.0-A36.8) rather than the unspecified code A36.9
• •Diphtheria is a reportable disease in most jurisdictions; verify that appropriate public health reporting requirements are met when coding this diagnosis