Appendicitis

Appendicitis is the infection of the appendix, a small part of the large intestine which has no real use in humans today. Appendicitis often starts with a pain around the belly button and high temperature. Eventually the pain will move to the right hand side of the stomach and the pain will become more intense. The injured person is often doubled up with intense pain and is in extreme discomfort. Both diarrhoea and vomiting can occur.

What to Do

- Don't give the injured person anything to eat or drink.
- Keep the injured person cool with a cold sponge.
- If possible, collect (or keep) a urine sample.
- Call for an ambulance.

If left untreated Appendicitis is extremely serious. However in the huge majority of cases the Appendicitis is caught early enough. After a simple procedure under general anaesthetic both children and adults make a very quick recovery.