CA02

ICD-11 MMS 2026-01

Acute pharyngitis

Description

Acute pharyngitis is defined as an infection or irritation of the pharynx and/or tonsils and is a part of the common cold symptoms. The etiology is usually infectious, with most cases being of viral origin.  Although virus infection is the primary cause, it is also caused by bacterial infection. The discomfort of a throat, a throat pain and swallowing pain often occur. Headache, general fatigueness, radiating pain to the ear and a cervical lymphadenitis also occur. Local finding demonstrates hyperaemic palatine tonsils and swelling of lymphoid follicles of posterior wall of pharynx. Patients with acute pharyngitis present most commonly with a sore throat. Other various symptoms can rise in these patients depending on their causing organisms.

Inclusions

  • acute sore throat

Excludes

  • CA04 – Acute laryngopharyngitis
  • CA09.2 – Chronic pharyngitis
  • CA0K.0 – Retropharyngeal or parapharyngeal abscess
  • CA0K.1 – Peritonsillar abscess

Exclusions from above levels

  • CA22.0 – Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute exacerbation, unspecified
  • 01 – Certain infectious or parasitic diseases
  • 05 – Endocrine, nutritional or metabolic diseases
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  • 18 – Complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
  • 19 – Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period
  • 20 – Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities
  • 22 – Injury, poisoning or certain other consequences of external causes

Child codes

  • CA02.0 – Acute bacterial pharyngitis
  • CA02.1 – Acute viral pharyngitis
  • CA02.Y – Other specified acute pharyngitis
  • CA02.Z – Acute pharyngitis, unspecified

Sibling codes

  • CA00 – Acute nasopharyngitis
  • CA01 – Acute sinusitis
  • CA03 – Acute tonsillitis
  • CA04 – Acute laryngopharyngitis
  • CA05 – Acute laryngitis or tracheitis
  • CA06 – Acute obstructive laryngitis or epiglottitis
  • CA07 – Acute upper respiratory infections of multiple and unspecified sites
  • CA08 – Vasomotor or allergic rhinitis
  • CA09 – Chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis or pharyngitis
  • CA0A – Chronic rhinosinusitis
  • CA0B – Silent sinus syndrome
  • CA0C – Cyst or mucocele of nose or nasal sinus
  • CA0D – Deviated nasal septum
  • CA0E – Hypertrophy of nasal turbinates
  • CA0F – Chronic diseases of tonsils or adenoids
  • CA0G – Chronic laryngitis or laryngotracheitis
  • CA0H – Diseases of vocal cords or larynx, not elsewhere classified
  • CA0J – Nasal polyp
  • CA0K – Abscess of upper respiratory tract
  • CA0Y – Other specified upper respiratory tract disorders
  • CA0Z – Upper respiratory tract disorders, unspecified

Foundation entity

Acute pharyngitis – http://id.who.int/icd/entity/1791890273

Allowed postcoordination axes

Part of: 12: Diseases of the respiratory system