R50.9 - Fever, unspecified

Clinical Definition

Acute bronchitis is a temporary inflammation of the bronchi (large airways) in the lungs, typically lasting less than 3 weeks. It's characterized by swelling and increased mucus production that causes coughing.

Documentation Requirements

• Duration must be specified as "acute" (less than 3 weeks)

• Document specific causative agent if known:

  • Viral (most common)

  • Bacterial

  • Chemical irritant

• Associated symptoms must be noted:

  • Productive/non-productive cough

  • Presence/absence of fever

  • Sputum characteristics

• Rule out chronic conditions

Common Synonyms

• Chest cold

• Viral bronchitis

• Acute chest infection

• Bronchial infection

• Lower respiratory infection

Coding Conflicts

Excludes1:

• Allergic bronchitis

• Chronic bronchitis

• Acute bronchitis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Excludes2:

• Acute bronchiolitis

• Bronchitis due to chemical fumes

Scribing.io Automation

The AI scribe automatically identifies key phrases like:

• "Acute bronchitis" vs chronic conditions

• Temporal markers indicating duration

• Causative agents mentioned in the encounter

• Associated symptoms and their characteristics

• Treatment plan elements specific to acute bronchitis

The system flags missing elements needed for complete documentation, such as duration confirmation or causative agent specification.