Centor Score (McIsaac modification)
Likelihood that a sore throat is group A streptococcal, scored −1 to 5.
When to use it. Deciding who needs a throat swab or antibiotics for acute pharyngitis.
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Limits of this score. This estimates the probability of a POSITIVE SWAB, not of benefit from antibiotics — most streptococcal pharyngitis resolves without them, and the score cannot distinguish infection from carriage. It is not validated for peritonsillar abscess or in immunosuppression.
Sources
- Centor RM, et al. The diagnosis of strep throat in adults in the emergency room. Med Decis Making 1981;1:239–46.
- McIsaac WJ, et al. A clinical score to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in patients with sore throat. CMAJ 1998;158:75–83.
Where this is written from. This site is written from Indian clinical practice. Drug availability and brand names, vaccination schedules, national health programmes and some reference cut-offs differ between countries — a schedule or a threshold that is standard here may not be standard where you are. If you are reading outside India, check anything on this page against your own country’s guidance before you act on it.
Educational use only — not medical advice. Never a substitute for clinical judgement.