Can appendicitis be contagious?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on October 26, 2024
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Appendicitis is a nonspecific inflammation occurring in the lumen of the appendix. It is not contagious, therefore, it is not an infectious disease. Once appendicitis is diagnosed, it is mostly treated surgically because the main blood supply to the appendix is the appendicular artery, which can easily lead to ischemic necrosis during inflammation. If controlled solely by medication, symptoms are likely to recur easily. Currently, appendectomy is commonly performed using minimally invasive techniques, under laparoscopy, which results in less bleeding during surgery and faster recovery afterward. Generally, if there is no suppuration or perforation, patients can be discharged three days after surgery. Postoperative care should be enhanced, including eating more vegetables to prevent constipation.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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What should I do about acute appendicitis?

Once acute appendicitis is diagnosed and surgical contraindications are ruled out, appendectomy is usually performed. Currently, the most common method is laparoscopic appendectomy, which results in less intraoperative bleeding and quicker postoperative recovery. After the surgery, depending on the severity of the appendicitis, the use of antibiotics may be considered. Additionally, fasting is required on the day of the surgery, and a semi-liquid diet may be chosen for the first one or two days post-surgery. Three to four days after the surgery, foods like egg custard, vegetable soup, and rice can be eaten, before gradually transitioning back to a normal diet.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Appendicitis location

The location of appendicitis is generally in the lower right abdomen, as the appendix is mostly located in the right iliac fossa. There are very few cases of situs inversus, where it is located on the left, but the appendix usually originates from the base of the cecum, attached to the posterior wall of the cecum, at the confluence of the three taeniae coli. Therefore, the surface projection of the appendix is mostly at the junction of the outer one-third of the line connecting the navel and the right anterior superior iliac spine, which is also commonly used as the marking point for surgical incisions. In cases of appendicitis, there may be pain in the upper right abdomen or pelvic region due to changes in the position of the appendix. For confirmed diagnoses of appendicitis, surgery is generally considered, and minimally invasive methods can be chosen. If an abscess forms around the appendix and the patient's condition can be managed, conservative treatment is usually preferred initially, followed by elective removal of the appendix after three months.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
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Can appendicitis cause vomiting?

Some patients with appendicitis may experience symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. This is because the appendix is located in the lower right abdomen near the ileocecal area, and the appendix cavity is connected to the cecum. The appendix is an independent organ of the human digestive tract. When inflamed, the inflammation can easily irritate the surrounding intestines, causing intestinal spasms and contractions, leading to nausea and vomiting. A typical manifestation of appendicitis is referred pain in the lower right abdomen. Once appendicitis is diagnosed, it is advisable to promptly start anti-inflammatory treatment and, if necessary, proceed with surgical treatment. Appendicitis can range from acute simple appendicitis, which responds well to conservative anti-inflammatory treatment, to acute suppurative or even perforated appendicitis. In these severe cases, it is recommended to perform surgery as soon as possible to remove the appendix and clear the inflammatory secretions, alongside anti-inflammatory treatment.

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Written by Ai Bing Quan
General Surgery
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Can you exercise with appendicitis?

During the acute onset of appendicitis, it is not suitable to exercise. This is because the patient's immune system is weakened, and exercise can exacerbate the spread of inflammation, making the appendix more likely to perforate. In cases of chronic appendicitis, as well as during the recovery period after appendix surgery, moderate activities can be performed. Exercise can be carried out after the stitches are removed, but the intensity of the exercise should not be too high. It is necessary to progress gradually, and an abdominal binder should be used to protect the incision site. It's also important to strengthen nutrition, improve physical fitness, and eat more coarse grains to maintain smooth bowel movements.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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How long does acute appendicitis hurt?

The pain associated with appendicitis is directly related to the severity of the inflammation. If the inflammation is mild, pain can be significantly relieved after using antispasmodic analgesics. However, if acute appendicitis leads to a suppurative appendix or perforation, the abdominal pain will last for a very long time, accompanied by signs of peritoneal irritation, such as tenderness and rebound pain in the abdomen. Therefore, the main principle of treating acute appendicitis is to perform surgery to remove the suppurative appendix. Currently, laparoscopic appendectomy is a viable option, as it involves less bleeding and allows for a faster postoperative recovery.