About this topic
The appendix is a small, finger-like pouch. It is attached to the large bowel in the lower right side of your childs belly. Appendicitis is the swelling of the appendix. Infection or stool in the appendix may cause this. Both of these may lead to swelling and a collection of pus. If left untreated, the appendix may burst. Then, the pus may infect the nearby organs. ‚
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
What care is needed at home?
- Ask the doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what to do to care for your child.
- Help your child rest when your child is feeling tired.
- Give your child the drugs ordered by the doctor.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your childs cut site. Ask the doctor about:
- When you should change the bandages
- When your child may take a bath or shower
- Wash your hands before touching your child's wound or dressing.
- Have your child use a small pillow to put pressure on the belly. This can make your child more comfortable when coughing, laughing, or doing other actions.
What follow-up care is needed?
- The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If your child has stitches or staples, they will need to be taken out. The doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Treat an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
Your child may have to limit activities after surgery. Talk to your childs doctor about the right kind of activity for your child. Your child may have to stay home for a few weeks if surgery was done to treat this problem. Ask the doctor when your child may go back to normal activities and back to school. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Collection of pus
- Blocked bowel
- Spread of infection to the nearby organs
- Infection in the cut site
- Change in appetite
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine.
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Pain in the belly and feeling bloated
- Yellowing of the skin and the eyes
- Your child is not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or is feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs procedure.
- I can tell you how to care for my child's cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child has redness or warmth around the wound.
Where can I learn more?
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/stomach/appendicitis.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚