Clinical findings seen with GABS pharyngitis:
(1) sudden onset
(2) ages 5 to 15 years (but can occur at any age)
(3) fever
(4) headache
(5) nausea and vomiting with or without abdominal pain
(6) inflammation over the pharynx and tonsils
(7) exudate (patchy and discrete)
(8) enlarged and tender anterior cervical lymph nodes
(9) occurrence in winter or early spring
(10) history of exposure to someone with streptococcal infection
where:
• A cutoff for oral temperature to define fever was not given. A temperature >= 101°F might be used.
Clinical findings seen in viral pharyngitis - one or more of the following:
(1) coryza (runny nose)
(2) conjunctivitis
(3) cough
(4) diarrhea
Limitations:
• Other streptococci can cause pharyngitis but would not be identified as GABS.
• A positive test for GABS requires that a certain number of organisms be collected which may not be achieved due to stage of illness, collection technique, etc. (false negative).
• Clinical findings cannot reliably diagnose GABS or exclude it. They can help stratify patients into risk groups for the infection.
