general-medicine emergency-medicine infectious-disease
Centor/McIsaac Score (Pharyngitis)
Predicts Group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis to guide throat swab and antibiotic prescribing decisions.
Score interpretation
Low risk of GAS (≤ 10%)
→ No throat swab; no antibiotics; symptomatic treatment; advise viral cause likely
Moderate risk of GAS (11–35%)
→ Throat swab; antibiotic if swab positive; or back-up antibiotic prescription (if no rapid testing)
High risk of GAS (51–53%)
→ Treat empirically — Adults: phenoxymethylpenicillin 500mg QDS for 10 days; erythromycin if penicillin allergy. Children: use a children's formulary.
Interpretation bands for the Centor Score. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Drugs
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) · Antibiotic — Tonsillitis / Pharyngitis
- Flucloxacillin · Penicillinase-Resistant Penicillin — Staphylococcal Infections
- Benzylpenicillin (Penicillin G) · Beta-lactam antibiotic (natural penicillin)
- Doxycycline 100mg Capsules (Sinusitis — Penicillin Allergy) · Tetracycline antibiotic
- Benzylpenicillin (Penicillin G) · Antibiotic — IV Penicillin
- Benzydamine Hydrochloride · Topical NSAID — Throat / Mouth
Pathways
- Falls Assessment in Older Adults · NICE CG161 2013
- Anaemia Investigation · BSH / NICE
- Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (Primary Care) · NICE NG138 / NICE antimicrobial guidance
- Hypertension Management · NICE NG136 2019
- HIV Diagnosis and Initial Management · BHIVA 2023 / NICE
- Cellulitis Management · CREST 2005 / BSAC
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.