🦠 McIsaac Score (Modified Centor, Pharyngitis)
Estimate group A strep pharyngitis probability with the McIsaac (modified Centor) score.
McIsaac Score (Modified Centor, Pharyngitis)
Temperature > 38°C
Absence of cough
Tender anterior cervical nodes
Tonsillar swelling/exudate
Age
When to use
Guide rational testing and antibiotic use in sore throat.
How it works
Temp > 38, no cough, tender anterior nodes, tonsillar swelling/exudate each +1; age 3–14 +1, 15–44 0, ≥ 45 −1.
Key points
- Adds age adjustment to Centor criteria.
- Most scores warrant confirmatory RADT/culture, not empiric antibiotics.
- Reduces unnecessary antibiotic prescribing.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.