Centor criteria

History of fever

Tonsillar exudates

Tender anterior cervical adenopathy

Absence of cough

Modified Centor Criteria age <15 +1 age >44 -1


0 - No antibiotic or throat swab (NPV 80%)

0 or 1 - No antibiotic or throat swab (Risk of strep <10%)

2 or 3 - throat swab (Risk of strep 32% if 3 criteria, 15% if 2)

4 or 5 - empirical antibiotics (strep PPV 56%)


Centor RM, Witherspoon JM, Dalton HP, Brody CE & Link K (1981).
The diagnosis of strep throat in adults in the emergency room. Medical Decision Making: 239-246
PMID 6763125