Sore throat: Interpretation of FeverPAIN and Centor Scores

Acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis are common clinical presentations in primary care settings, frequently affecting children and adolescents between the ages of 5 to 15 years. While viral infections are the most prevalent cause, bacterial infections—specifically Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infections—warrant special consideration due to their potential for complications, such as rheumatic fever or peritonsillar abscess. One of the pressing clinical challenges is to differentiate between viral and bacterial etiologies to guide appropriate treatment.

Two widely used clinical prediction scores—the FeverPAIN and Centor criteria—have been developed to assist clinicians in estimating the likelihood of a streptococcal infection, thereby aiding in treatment decisions. These scoring systems utilize easily observable clinical features, providing a numerical score that correlates with the likelihood of isolating streptococci from throat cultures. This offers valuable insights for clinicians, allowing them to judiciously decide on the need for antibiotic treatment or further diagnostic investigations.