A 27-year-old woman presents to the clinic and reports that she recently completed a 7-day course of antibiotics for a urinary tract infection. She is sexually active with one partner, uses oral contraceptives for birth control, and has no significant medical history. On physical examination, there is erythema of the vulva with thick, white, curdy discharge adherent to the vaginal walls. Vaginal pH is 4.0. A potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation of the discharge reveals budding yeast and pseudohyphae. Which of the following correctly describes the clinical manifestations of vulvovaginal candidiasis?
