Primary Care

Centor Score (McIsaac modified)

Likelihood of streptococcal pharyngitis.

Education and reference only. Not a substitute for clinical judgement, local policy or product labelling. Always verify before clinical use. Values are calculated in your browser and never stored.

When to use

Use in sore throat to estimate the likelihood of group A streptococcal infection and guide testing/antibiotic decisions.

Why use

It supports antibiotic stewardship by targeting those most likely to benefit.

Advice

Follow local antimicrobial guidance (e.g. NICE FeverPAIN/Centor pathways). A high score raises pre-test probability but does not confirm streptococcal infection.

Evidence & references

McIsaac WJ et al. A clinical score to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in patients with sore throat. CMAJ. 1998.

About the creator

McIsaac WJ et al.

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