Abstract
Answer B. The Centor criteria are
Absence of cough Fever Tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy Tonsillar exudate
The presence of all four criteria has only a 40% positive predictive value for Group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal sore throat. However, the absence of all four criteria has an 80% negative predictive value.
National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) have published guidelines incorporating the Centor criteria to guide antibiotic prescribing in patients presenting with acute sore throat.