Vaginal discharge referral checklist

Referral checklist for recurrent, treatment-refractory, or high-risk vaginal discharge presentations.

Last reviewed February 7, 2026

Urgency tier

Same-day escalation for severe pelvic pain, fever, pregnancy complications, or systemic illness.
Expedited referral for persistent symptoms despite appropriate initial therapy.
Routine referral for recurrent non-urgent but unresolved symptoms.

Minimum pre-referral workup

Discharge symptom profile with pain, bleeding, and systemic-feature review.
STI-risk and pregnancy assessment.
Initial testing and first-line treatment response documentation.

Referral packet checklist

Detailed symptom timeline and exposure context.
Completed tests, treatment course, and response pattern.
Current medications, allergies, and relevant gynecologic history.

Pre-referral optimization tasks

Reinforce return precautions for fever, severe pain, or bleeding.
Continue interim symptom monitoring and risk-reduction counseling.
Arrange short follow-up while awaiting specialist review.

References

Government of Canada Sexually transmitted infections (opens in a new tab)

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