Table 2.

Clinical and epidemiologic findings and diagnosis of group A streptococcal pharyngitis

Features suggesting group A streptococcus as etiologic agent

Sudden onset

Sore throat

Fever

Scarlet fever rash

Headache

Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain

Inflammation of pharynx and tonsils

Patchy discrete exudates

Tender, enlarged anterior cervical nodes

Patient age 5–15 y

Presentation in winter or early spring

History of exposure

Features suggesting viral etiology

Conjunctivitis

Coryza

Cough

Diarrhea

Characteristic exanthems

Characteristic enanthems

Modified from Bisno AL, Gerber MA, Gwaltney JM, Kaplan EL, Schwartz RH. Practice guideline for the diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Clin Infect Dis 2002;35:113–25.