Does chronic appendicitis cause a high fever?

Written by Li Jin Quan

General Surgery

Updated on December 21, 2024

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Chronic appendicitis is just a common gastrointestinal disease. Generally, chronic appendicitis does not involve fever. However, a low-grade fever may occur when the inflammation in some cases of chronic appendicitis is not well-controlled. A small percentage of chronic appendicitis can acutely flare up and lead to a purulent infection, causing purulent appendicitis, which may lead to perforation of the appendix, diffuse peritonitis, septic shock, and high fever. Therefore, it is essential to actively treat chronic appendicitis, and early surgical intervention is recommended.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

51sec

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Causes of Appendicitis

Appendicitis is caused by both anatomical factors of the body and lifestyle dietary patterns. The appendix is a tube that is open at one end and closed at the other, communicating with the cecum. Due to its narrow and long nature, it is easy for fecal matter to block the appendix, leading to increased pressure within the tube, mucosal ischemia necrosis, and subsequently triggering inflammation. Additionally, irregular eating habits, such as binge eating, habitual drinking, and consumption of spicy food, can provoke inflammation of the appendix. Once appendicitis is diagnosed, it is mostly treated surgically. The laparoscopic appendectomy is commonly used nowadays, which is a minimally invasive treatment that allows for a faster recovery and leaves smaller scars on the body surface.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

49sec

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Appendicitis how many days to be discharged

The length of hospital stay after appendicitis treatment varies greatly depending on the individual's constitution, the severity of the appendicitis, and the method of treatment used. If the symptoms are mild and only conservative medication treatment is chosen, then you can be discharged after the symptoms disappear. If surgical treatment is chosen, then it's typical to observe for three to five days post-surgery; if there are no significant signs of infection or pus formation, then discharge can be considered, followed by observational treatment. If there is significant pus formation, or cases of gangrene or perforation that lead to severe peritonitis, routine anti-infection treatment should be administered post-surgery. Therefore, the treatment period may be longer, requiring a waiting period until the inflammation is completely resolved before discharge.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

45sec

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Postoperative diet for acute appendicitis

Postoperative diet for acute appendicitis should be taken with special attention. On the day of the surgery, no food should be consumed. After waiting for anal gas to pass, which typically occurs on the first day post-surgery, a semi-liquid diet can be chosen, consisting of easily digestible foods such as rice porridge, millet congee, and vegetable soup. From the third to the fifth day post-surgery, a normal diet can be resumed, including eating eggs and meat to supplement proteins and dietary fibers, which help the incision heal. Vegetables and fruits should also be consumed to prevent constipation. Additionally, proper care should be taken of the incision site, including regular dressing changes.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

40sec

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Is appendicitis contagious?

Appendicitis is an inflammation that occurs in the lumen of the appendix, including acute appendicitis and chronic appendicitis. Appendicitis is not contagious, as it is not an infectious disease, but rather a purulent inflammation. Therefore, there is no need to isolate patients with appendicitis. Appendicitis usually requires surgical removal, but it is important to note that surgery should not be performed if acute appendicitis has been present for more than 72 hours, or if an abscess has formed. The majority of surgeries are performed using laparoscopic appendectomy, a method which allows for a faster recovery post-operation.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

40sec

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Can appendicitis cause a fever?

Appendicitis can cause fever. After the fever, a routine blood test will show a significant increase in white blood cells, which is often referred to as an elevated blood profile. In addition to fever, appendicitis may also cause vomiting and nausea. A typical symptom is abdominal pain, starting around the navel and then gradually moving to the lower right abdomen. For the fever, active symptomatic fever reduction should be pursued, or appendectomy can be chosen. Currently, laparoscopic appendectomy is more common, with less bleeding during the operation and faster post-operative recovery.