Diagnosis
| Points | Probability of Strep | Management |
|---|---|---|
| 1 or less | <10% | No antibiotic or culture needed |
| 2 | 11–17% | Antibiotic based on culture or RADT |
| 3 | 28–35% | |
| 4 or 5 | 52% | Empiric antibiotics |
The modified Centor criteria maybe used to determine the management of people with pharyngitis. Based on 5 clinical criteria, it indicates the probability of a streptococcal infection.
One point is given for each of the criteria:
- Absence of a cough
- Swollen and tender cervical lymph nodes
- Temperature >38.0 °C (100.4 °F)
- Tonsillar exudate or swelling
- Age less than 15 (a point is subtracted if age >44)
The Infectious Disease Society of America however recommends against empirical treatment and considers antibiotics only appropriate following positive testing. Testing is not needed in children under three as both group A strep and rheumatic fever are rare, except if they have a sibling with the disease.
Read more about this topic: Streptococcal Pharyngitis