Whooping cough, unspecified organism

This code represents a diagnosis of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, when the causative organism is not specified in the medical record. It indicates a confirmed or suspected case of this highly contagious respiratory infection characterized by severe coughing fits, often followed by a "whooping" sound during inhalation.

Use this code when the provider documents a diagnosis of "whooping cough" or "pertussis" without specifying the bacterial etiology (e.g., Bordetella pertussis). This is appropriate when laboratory confirmation of the organism is pending, inconclusive, or not performed, but the clinical picture strongly suggests pertussis.

• Always seek clarification from the provider if the organism is known but not documented.
• Do not use this code if a specific Bordetella species is identified; instead, refer to codes for pertussis due to Bordetella pertussis or other Bordetella species.
• Consider additional codes for any associated complications, such as pneumonia or seizures, if documented.