Appendicitis

When To Call A Professional

To avoid the risk of a ruptured appendix, contact your doctor immediately if you or a family member has symptoms of appendicitis. Appendicitis is an emergency, and it requires immediate attention.

Prognosis

Patients requiring surgery often stay in the hospital for three to four days (if the appendix did not rupture). People who have an appendectomy normally recover completely.

In cases of a ruptured appendix, the hospital stay is usually prolonged. Although it is rare, a person can die of appendicitis if a ruptured appendix spreads infection throughout the abdomen and into the blood.

Additional Info

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders Office of Communications and Public Liaison Building 31, Room 9A04 Center Drive, MSC 2560 Bethesda, MD 20892-2560 Phone: (301) 496-3583 Fax: (301) 496-7422 http://www.niddk.nih.gov/