validated scoring systems which increase accuracy of diagnosis and provide consistency of clinician diagnosis and management decisions (Little et al., 2013; Moore et al., 2017; Patel et al., 2019; Muthanna et al., 2018 and Wallace et al., 2015). Neither tool can predict the development of suppurative and non-suppurative complications however, and caution is advised in presentations of longer durations (Little et al., 2013). Of the two systems, the FeverPain score is thought to be more predictive of the time to symptom resolution and to provide a better indicator of symptom severity (Aalbers et al., 2011; Muthanna et al., 2018 and Moore et al., 2017). Scores of 4 or 5 on the FeverPain score and 3 or 4 on Centor are thought to be associated with a higher likelihood of a group A beta-haemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) causative microorganism.
Lucy’s Centor score of 3 and FeverPain score of 5 pointed to consideration of the possibility of antibiotic treatment. Historically, the case for antibiotic use in sore throat management has largely been based around preventing the possible risk of GABHS complications, most notably non-suppurative complications (rheumatic fever) now not so common in developed countries and suppurative complications such as otitis media, quinsy and mastoiditis