Appendicitis

   Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix.
   Appendicitis is not a contagious disease.
   A patient with appendicitis could present as:

      * abdominal pain
      * fever
      * vomiting

   Abdominal pain usually begins in the peri-umbilical area then it moves
   downward and to the right - to an area called McBurney's point in the
   lower right portion of the abdomen.

   Subsequent to the abdominal pain the child complains of:
      * slight fever
      * loses his appetite
      * feels nauseated and may vomit

   NOTE: The fact that abdominal pain begins before nausea and vomiting,
   rather than after, is one clue to suspect appendicitis rather than an
   intestinal infection.

   Other symptoms that may be seen in older children with appendicitis
   include:
      * diarrhea (usually small stools with mucus)
      * frequent urination
      * constipation
      * respiratory symptoms

   Younger children may also have a distended abdomen.

   If appendicitis is not treated, the infected appendix may perforate
   (break open) and spread its infection to wider areas of the abdomen.
   If perforation does happen, the child's abdominal pain may spread out
   to involve the whole abdomen and a condition called peritonitis may
   result.

   Pathogenesis:
   When the lumen of the appendix is blocked - usually by a piece of stool,
   a foreign body that was swallowed, or the swelling from an infection;
   the appendix becomes swollen and easily infected by bacteria.
   Subsequently an abscess may form and eventually burst or perforate.
   This may happen as soon as 48 to 72 hours after symptoms begin.

   Duration:
   If the appendix is removed surgically before it perforates,
   complications are rare. Hospital stay is usually two or three days.

   If the infected appendix perforates, it must still be removed surgically,
   but a longer treatment modality is undertaken.

   Treatment
   Generally an appendicitis need a surgical intervention which amounts to
   the removal of the infected appendix.