Quick guide
Diagnostic approach
- Targeted clinical evaluation
- Consider diagnostic testing based on clinical suspicion (e.g., rapid strep test for patients with modified Centor score ≥ 2).
- See “Diagnostics for acute tonsillitis and pharyngitis.”
Management checklist
- Provide supportive care for sore throat: e.g., analgesia, antipyretics.
- Consult ENT urgently if red flag features are present.
- See “Recommended antibiotic regimens for acute GAS pharyngitis.”
Red flag features
- Trismus
- Drooling
- Asymmetric tonsils
- Displaced uvula
- Unilateral facial swelling
- Muffled or “hot potato” voice
- Clinical features of sepsis
- Immunosuppressed state
