Whooping cough, unspecified species without pneumonia

This code signifies a confirmed diagnosis of whooping cough (pertussis) where the specific Bordetella species causing the infection has not been identified. It indicates an uncomplicated case without the presence of pneumonia as a co-occurring condition.

Use this code for patients presenting with classic symptoms of pertussis (e.g., paroxysmal cough, inspiratory whoop, post-tussive vomiting) when laboratory confirmation of Bordetella pertussis or Bordetella parapertussis is pending or unavailable, and no pneumonia is documented. This code is appropriate when the physician's documentation clearly states "whooping cough, unspecified species" or "pertussis, unspecified" without mention of pneumonia.

• Do not use this code if pneumonia is documented; instead, select a more specific code that includes pneumonia.
• If the specific Bordetella species is identified (e.g., Bordetella pertussis or Bordetella parapertussis), use the more specific A37.00 or A37.10 codes, respectively.
• Always review the entire medical record to ensure no documentation of pneumonia or specific species identification is overlooked.