Question

23 yo F is evaluated for a 2 week hx of persistent thick, white vaginal discharge; burning in the valvular and vaginal regions, and vaginal itching. Lab reveals a vaginal ph of 4.4, whiff test result is negative. Potassium hydroxide microscopy shows hyphae.Most appropriate management?

Answer 1

For a 23-year-old female presenting with symptoms and lab findings consistent with vaginal candidiasis, the most appropriate management is treatment with antifungal medication, either oral or topical.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate management for the 23-year-old female with a 2-week history of thick, white vaginal discharge, burning, and itching, and laboratory findings showing a vaginal pH of 4.4, a negative whiff test, and hyphae on potassium hydroxide microscopy, is antifungal treatment. Based on the provided symptoms and test results, the patient likely has vaginal candidiasis, which is a yeast infection caused by Candida albicans. Antibiotics prescribed for other conditions, like a UTI, do not kill Candida because they target bacteria, not fungi, and might disrupt the normal microbiota, leading to a secondary yeast infection. Antifungal medications, either oral or topical, are the standard treatment for vaginal yeast infections and should be considered in managing this patient's condition.