Criteria

Centor criteria

Around 90% of children and adolescents with scarlet fever also present with group A streptococcus (GAS) (Streptococcus pyogenes) pharyngitis.[14][15]​ The Centor score estimates the probability of GAS pharyngitis in patients ages ≥15 years. A score of 1 point is assigned to each of the following criteria:[24][25]

  • Tonsillar swelling or exudate

  • Tender anterior cervical adenopathy

  • No cough

  • Temperature >100.4°F (>38.0°C).

Patients with a total score of ≥3 should be considered for rapid antigen detection testing or culture for GAS from a throat swab.[24]

McIsaac criteria

This McIsaac score uses the same criteria as the Centor score, but corrects for age and so it can be used in children and in adults.[35][39] [ Sore Throat (Pharyngitis) Evaluation and Treatment Criteria (McIsaac) Opens in new window ] As with the Centor score, patients with a total score of ≥3 should be considered for rapid antigen detection testing or culture for GAS from a throat swab.[24]

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