Symptoms of Acute Appendicitis
• In very young children or people over age 65, symptoms of acute appendicitis may be deceptively mild. Otherwise, symptoms can vary widely and may include the following:
• Vague discomfort or tenderness near the navel (early in an attack), migrating to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen
• Sharp, localized, persistent pain within a few hours
• Pain that worsens with movement, deep breathing, coughing, sneezing, walking or being touched
• Constipation and inability to pass gas, possibly alternating with diarrhea
• Low fever (below 102°F). A high fever (possibly accompanied by chills) may indicate an abscessed appendix
• Rapid heartbeat
• Abdominal swelling (in late stages)
• Abrupt cessation of abdominal pain after other symptoms occur, indicating the appendix has burst—an emergency
• Nausea and vomiting (in some cases)
• Loss of appetite
• Coated tongue and bad breath
• Painful and/or frequent urination
• Blood in the urine
• Abdominal swelling or bloating, especially in infants