Appendicitis and Ruptured Appendix: Symptom Checklist and Emergency Action

Appendicitis typically presents with:

• Periumbilical pain migrating to right lower quadrant (McBurney's point)
• Anorexia, nausea ± vomiting
• Low-grade fever (37.5–38.5°C)
• Rebound tenderness, guarding, Rovsing's sign
• Leukocytosis with left shift

Rupture Signs

• Sudden pain relief followed by diffuse abdominal rigidity
• High fever, tachycardia, hypotension (sepsis)
• Generalized peritonitis

Action

Seek emergency care immediately. Diagnosis: clinical + labs + CT/US. Treatment: laparoscopic appendectomy ± antibiotics. Delayed perforation increases abscess, sepsis, mortality risk.