Appendicitis: How to Care for Your Child

Appendicitis is an infection of a small piece of the intestines call the appendix. In some kids, it can be treated with antibiotics instead of surgery. The pain should get better and go away over a few days. While your child is healing, you can help by following the care plan and letting the surgery team know about any problems right away.

• Keep giving your child the antibiotics as prescribed. Missing any doses means the infection could come back. If that happens, your child might need surgery. 

• To limit stomachaches or diarrhea from the antibiotics, offer your child yogurt each day. Yogurt contains "good" bacteria that support healthy digestion.

• For pain, give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol^® or a store brand) OR ibuprofen (Advil^®, Motrin^®, or a store brand) as recommended by the care team.

• Let your child return to activities slowly. Sometimes kids get pain from doing too much too soon.

• Watch closely for signs that the appendicitis is coming back and call the surgery team right away. 

Your child:

• isn't eating

• has an upset stomach or vomits

• gets a fever of 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher

• has pain that: 

  • doesn't get better with acetaminophen (Tylenol^® or a store brand) OR ibuprofen (Advil^®, Motrin^®, or a store brand) 

  • is getting worse

  • seems severe

• has diarrhea or constipation

• appears dehydrated; signs include dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, sunken eyes, making less pee or dark pee, and crying with few or no tears

You're not able to get in touch with the surgery team and are concerned your child is getting worse.

How does appendicitis happen? The lining of the appendix, a small pouch connected to the large intestine, can get blocked. This lets bacteria (germs) grow quickly, and the appendix gets inflamed and swollen.

How does treating appendicitis with antibiotics help? Because appendicitis is an infection caused by bacteria, treating it with antibiotics that kill the bacteria can help some kids get better faster without needing surgery. Most of the time, the appendicitis doesn't come back, so the child can get back to regular activities more quickly. Parents can help by giving all the doses of antibiotics as prescribed and calling their health care provider right away if they see any signs of the appendicitis coming back.