A 20-year-old female presents with lower abdominal pain, fever, and vaginal discharge with a foul smell. On examination, there is tenderness on her cervix. What are the potential diagnoses and next steps?
This patient's symptoms are suggestive of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is most commonly caused by sexually transmitted infections, particularly chlamydia and gonorrhea. However, bacterial vaginosis or a urinary tract infection could also be considered. She should have a pelvic examination, and samples should be taken for STI testing. If PID is diagnosed, she would need antibiotics, and her sexual partners should be informed and tested.