What are the common signs of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)?

The common signs of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) primarily include lower abdominal pain, fever, unusual discharge, and pain during intercourse. PID is an infection of the female reproductive organs that can occur when sexually transmitted bacteria spread from the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries.

Lower abdominal pain is typical, often due to inflammation of the reproductive organs. Fever may accompany PID as the body responds to the infection. Unusual discharge can arise from the infection and may have an abnormal odor or color. Pain during intercourse, known as dyspareunia, is also a significant symptom that reflects inflammation or irritation in the pelvic area.

These manifestations are important for timely diagnosis and treatment, as untreated PID can lead to more serious complications, including infertility. The other choices do not reflect symptoms associated with PID, which further underscores the validity of the correct answer.