FeverPAIN Score (Streptococcal Tonsillitis)
Predicts likelihood of Group A streptococcal pharyngitis/tonsillitis to guide antibiotic prescribing. Developed in UK primary care.
Score interpretation
→ No antibiotic; symptomatic treatment (paracetamol, ibuprofen, fluids); safety net
→ No antibiotic or a back-up antibiotic prescription (NICE NG84), to use if symptoms do not start to improve within 3-5 days or worsen; safety net
→ Consider an immediate or a back-up antibiotic (NICE NG84). Adults: phenoxymethylpenicillin 500 mg four times a day or 1,000 mg twice a day for 5 to 10 days; penicillin allergy: clarithromycin 250 mg to 500 mg twice a day for 5 days (erythromycin in pregnancy). Children: use a children's formulary.
Interpretation bands for the FeverPAIN Score. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Adult Upper Airway Obstruction (Stridor) · DAS 2015 unanticipated difficult airway; RCEM
- Epistaxis Management · ENT-UK / NICE
- Acute Otitis Media · NICE NG91 2018
- Tonsillitis and Sore Throat · NICE NG84 2018
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo · NICE CG124 / AAO-HNS Guidelines
- Acute Rhinosinusitis · NICE NG79 2017 / EPOS 2020
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.
