Evaluation of acute pharyngitis in adults

ARF: acute rheumatic fever; COVID-19: coronavirus disease 2019; GAS: group A Streptococcus; HIV: human immunodeficiency virus; NAAT: nucleic acid amplification test; RADT: rapid antigen detection test.

* A sitting position with the trunk leaning forward, neck hyperextended, and chin thrust forward in an effort to maximize the diameter of the obstructed airway.

¶ Refer to UpToDate content on COVID-19 for additional detail on clinical features, testing, and infection control.

Δ Refer to UpToDate topics on evaluation of pharyngitis in adults, evaluation of the adult with dyspnea, and deep neck space infections.

◊ Refer to UpToDate content on symptomatic treatment of pharyngitis in adults.

§ Some practitioners test patients with Centor scores ≥2.

¥ Refer to UpToDate topic on evaluation of pharyngitis in adults.