Which of the following is a characteristic sign of bacterial vaginosis?

A characteristic sign of bacterial vaginosis is the presence of clue cells. Clue cells are vaginal epithelial cells that become coated with bacteria and appear as stippled or pebbly-looking cells under a microscope. Their presence indicates an imbalance in the normal vaginal flora, which is typical of bacterial vaginosis. This condition is commonly associated with an overgrowth of certain types of bacteria, leading to symptoms like unusual vaginal discharge, but the identification of clue cells during a microscopic examination is a key diagnostic marker.

Other symptoms such as fever, rapid heart rate, and joint pain are more indicative of systemic infections or other health issues rather than bacterial vaginosis, making them less pertinent to its diagnosis. Bacterial vaginosis primarily affects the vaginal environment and does not generally produce systemic symptoms like fever or elevated heart rates.