Answer
Appendicitis is an infection of the appendix that affects all ages but is most common in children 8-14 years old. The primary symptoms are the acute development of pain in the right lower quadrant which gets worse and worse and often prevents the child from standing up straight due to pain. It may be accompanied by fever and vomiting as well.
It is important that it be recognized early in its course as left untreated, it will progress to a rupture of the appendix. This is treatable but takes much longer to get over and is associated with a prolonged hospital stay and complications.
This condition is treated with surgery to remove the appendix which is done laparoscopically in most cases. If a parent has a child with worrisome symptoms they should bring that child to a pediatrician's office to get an exam.
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