At first Miguel thought he had a "stomach virus" (also called a gastrointestinal infection). His stomach hurt and he was throwing up. He wasn't hungry at all. But the next day, instead of feeling better, he felt worse. In addition to his other symptoms, he had a fever.


What Is Appendicitis?




Symptoms of Appendicitis

The classic symptoms of appendicitis are abdominal pain and loss of appetite. Pain usually begins in the center of the abdomen, around the navel area. Later, the pain may move downward and to the right, to an area called McBurney's point, which roughly corresponds to the location of the appendix. The pain may be worse with moving, jumping, coughing, and deep breaths.


Of course, some of the symptoms of appendicitis can occur in other illnesses (like kidney stones, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections). That's why it's important to call your doctor.

Development and Duration of Appendicitis


If the appendix ruptures, the infection will likely spread to other areas of the abdomen, increasing the risk of serious complications and making treatment more difficult.

When to Call the Doctor


To help make a diagnosis, your doctor will ask you about your medical history and perform a physical exam. The doctor will usually do some blood tests and urine studies, and may recommend X-rays, a CAT scan, or an ultrasound. The doctor will decide whether you need surgery.

Ask before taking any pain medications (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen) because your doctor will need to examine your abdomen for signs of pain and tenderness. Don't take laxatives or use enemas until your doctor sees you.

Also, if your doctor suspects you have appendicitis, you will probably be asked to stop eating or drinking (an important precaution when a person is possibly going to have surgery).

Treating Appendicitis

Appendicitis is treated with surgery to remove the infected appendix. The operation is called an appendectomy. To prepare for the surgery, a person will receive anesthesia, which puts a person in a deep sleep and prevents pain.

An appendectomy generally has few complications, with a hospital stay of 1 to 3 days. However, if the infected appendix ruptures before surgery, the person usually stays in the hospital longer to receive antibiotics that will help kill bacteria that may have spread to the abdominal cavity. Even if the appendix has not ruptured, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics because they can decrease the risk of infection after surgery.

Usually, a student can safely return to school after about a week.

If You Think You Have Appendicitis

Get help from your doctor right away if you suspect that you have appendicitis, because this is a surgical emergency. Prompt treatment of appendicitis usually prevents complications and gets you back to your regular routine faster.

Reviewed by: Yamini Durani, MD
Date reviewed: July 2012

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