Whooping cough, unspecified species with pneumonia

This code signifies a diagnosis of whooping cough (pertussis) where the specific Bordetella species causing the infection is not identified, and the patient has developed pneumonia as a complication. It indicates a respiratory infection characterized by severe coughing fits followed by a "whooping" sound, with concurrent inflammation of the lung parenchyma.

Apply this code when the medical record clearly documents a diagnosis of whooping cough with associated pneumonia, but the causative Bordetella species (e.g., B. pertussis, B. parapertussis) is not specified. Documentation should confirm both the pertussis infection and the presence of pneumonia.

• Always sequence the whooping cough code first, followed by codes for any other manifestations or complications, unless another condition is the primary reason for the encounter.
• Avoid using this code if the specific Bordetella species is identified; instead, use the more specific codes within the A37 category.
• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "pneumonia" as a complication of the whooping cough, not just a general respiratory infection.