--- title: "Appendicitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment | HealthAnswers" description: "Appendicitis — appendix pain location, symptoms, when to go to A&E, and NHS surgical treatment." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/appendicitis/ robots: noindex --- # Appendicitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment | HealthAnswers Health A–Z Appendicitis — appendix pain location, symptoms, when to go to A&E, and NHS surgical treatment. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What is appendicitis? Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix — usually causing pain that starts near the belly button then moves to the lower right abdomen, with nausea and fever. It needs urgent hospital assessment — untreated appendix can burst (perforate) causing peritonitis. Treatment is usually surgery to remove the appendix (appendicectomy). Go to A&E if you have worsening abdominal pain with fever — do not wait. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Appendicitis, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 8 sections ## Key facts about appendicitis - Appendicitis most commonly affects people aged 10 to 30 but can occur at any age. - Classic pain migration — starts centrally, moves to right lower abdomen (McBurney's point). - Ruptured appendix causes serious infection — higher complication rate than early surgery. - Diagnosis may use clinical examination, blood tests, and ultrasound or CT scan. - Some cases treated with antibiotics alone — surgery remains standard in most UK centres. ## Appendicitis — inflamed appendix The **appendix** is a small pouch attached to the **large intestine** — function unclear. **Appendicitis** is **inflammation**, usually from **blockage** (faecalith, lymphoid swelling) and bacterial overgrowth. It is the **most common abdominal surgical emergency** in the UK — **time matters** — **rupture** increases morbidity significantly. ## Symptoms — classic progression **Early (first 12 to 24 hours):** - vague central abdominal pain — around navel - loss of appetite — key feature in children and adults - nausea — vomiting often after pain established **Later:** - pain migrates to right iliac fossa (lower right) - localised tenderness - fever - guarding — muscles tense on examination - pain worse with movement , coughing, car journey bumps **Atypical presentations:** - children — diffuse pain early - elderly — less dramatic — higher rupture risk before diagnosis - pregnant women — appendix displaced upward — right flank pain - retrocaecal appendix — back or pelvic pain ## When to seek emergency care **Go to A&E / phone 999 if:** - worsening abdominal pain with fever - cannot stand straight or walk due to pain - rigid board-like abdomen - collapse , confusion — sepsis **Do not:** - eat or drink before assessment (surgery may need empty stomach) - take laxatives or enemas - assume ” tummy bug” if pain localises and worsens ## Diagnosis **No single perfect test** — clinical judgement central: - history and examination — McBurney’s point tenderness - blood tests — raised WCC, CRP - urine — exclude UTI/pregnancy - imaging: ultrasound — children, young women (avoid radiation) - CT abdomen — adults — high accuracy - MRI — pregnancy **Scores** (Alvarado) aid decision — not replace clinician. ## Treatment ### Surgery — standard **Laparoscopic appendicectomy:** - keyhole — 3 small incisions - appendix removed - same-day or overnight stay typical **Open surgery** if perforated, abscess, or technical difficulty. ### Antibiotics alone **Selected studies** support **antibiotics-first** strategy for uncomplicated appendicitis — **recurrence** ~30% at 1 year — **not universal NHS practice** — discuss in hospital if offered. ### Complicated appendicitis **Perforation/abscess:** - IV antibiotics - percutaneous drainage of abscess sometimes - interval appendicectomy weeks later ## Recovery **Uncomplicated laparoscopic:** - discharge 24 to 48 hours - paracetamol for pain - shower next day — keep wounds clean - driving when can emergency stop — usually ~1 week - work — 1 to 2 weeks desk job - heavy lifting — avoid 4 to 6 weeks **Ruptured appendix:** - longer hospital stay - IV antibiotics course - bowel injury rare complication ## Appendicitis vs other causes | Condition | Clues | | --- | --- | | Gastroenteritis | Diarrhoea prominent, diffuse cramp, contacts ill | | UTI/kidney stone | Urinary symptoms, flank pain | | Mesenteric adenitis | Post-viral, less progression | | Ovarian cyst | Women — mid-cycle, gynae cause | | Ectopic pregnancy | Positive test, shoulder tip pain — emergency | **Pregnancy test** mandatory in women of childbearing age. ## Prevention **No reliable prevention** — high-fibre diet theorised but not proven to eliminate risk. **Early hospital presentation** when symptoms fit — best outcome modifier. **Central pain moving right, fever, cannot eat** — **A&E tonight**, not morning GP slot. ## ! When to see a GP about appendicitis Go to A&E urgently for worsening abdominal pain with fever, vomiting, or inability to walk upright due to pain — do not wait for GP appointment. Phone 999 if collapse, confusion, or severe pain with rigid abdomen. Mild tummy ache without fever may have other causes — GP same day if uncertain. Children with abdominal pain and fever need urgent assessment. ## Common questions about appendicitis What are the symptoms of appendicitis? Pain starting around navel then shifting to lower right abdomen, worsening over hours. Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting (often after pain starts), fever, constipation or diarrhoea. Coughing or walking jolts pain. Pressing left side hurts right (Rovsing sign) — clinical clue for doctors. Where is appendicitis pain located? Typically lower right abdomen — McBurney's point — one-third from hip bone to navel. Early pain may be central or around umbilicus. Location varies — pregnant women, elderly, and those with unusual appendix position may have atypical pain. Can appendicitis go away on its own? Occasionally inflammation settles — but cannot safely distinguish from progressing appendicitis without hospital assessment. Delay risks rupture — peritonitis, abscess, sepsis. Always seek urgent care for suspected appendicitis. How is appendicitis treated? Usually laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery to remove appendix — appendicectomy. Antibiotics given. Selected cases — antibiotics alone with delayed surgery if needed — research ongoing; most UK practice is early surgery. Abscess may need drainage before surgery. How long is recovery from appendix removal? Keyhole surgery — often home within 24 to 48 hours, return to normal activities 2 to 4 weeks. Open surgery or complicated rupture — longer recovery. Follow hospital advice on wound care and driving. What happens if your appendix bursts? Perforation spills bacteria into abdomen — peritonitis, abscess, sepsis. Needs emergency surgery, IV antibiotics, possible longer hospital stay and bowel complications. Early treatment prevents most ruptures. What side is your appendix on? Your appendix sits in the lower right-hand side of your tummy. Appendicitis pain often starts as a dull ache around your belly button, then moves to the lower right and becomes sharp and constant. If you have this pattern — especially with fever, nausea or loss of appetite — treat it as an emergency: call 999 or go straight to A&E. ## Sources - [NHS — Appendicitis](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/appendicitis/) - [NICE — Appendicitis management](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng127)