The FeverPAIN score

The FeverPAIN score has been developed to include not only B haemolytic streptococci group A but also group C and G which can also cause acute sore throat whereas the Centor score was developed only using group A streptococcal infections.

The FeverPAIN acronym stands for:

• Fever last 24h

• Pus on tonsils

• Attend rapidly (3 or less days)

• Severely Inflamed tonsils

• No cough or coryza (i.e. pharyngeal illness)

The evidence shows that using FeverPAIN as a clinical score is at least as effective as the Centor score in reducing antibiotic use and is as effective as using near patient rapid streptococcal antigen test which is more expensive.

*The link to the scorecard is here