Does chronic appendicitis cause fever?

Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
Updated on April 19, 2025
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Chronic appendicitis is a common gastrointestinal disease. Whether chronic appendicitis causes fever depends on the control of the inflammation. Most cases of chronic appendicitis do not involve fever, but some cases may exhibit a low fever when the inflammation is not well controlled. A very small percentage of chronic appendicitis cases can undergo acute episodes and develop suppurative infections, leading to perforation of the appendix and diffuse peritonitis, septicemia, and septic shock; in such acute episodes of chronic appendicitis, a high fever can occur.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Is chronic appendicitis serious?

Chronic appendicitis can achieve good treatment outcomes through active surgical treatment or conservative treatment, and the cases of appendicitis here are not severe. However, a very small portion of patients with chronic appendicitis, especially those with underlying diseases such as diabetes, are at risk of developing a purulent infection of the appendix, which can lead to perforation of the appendix and result in diffuse peritonitis, sepsis, septic shock, and multiple organ failure. Thus, it can be said that there are indeed a few severe cases among patients with chronic appendicitis.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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What to eat with appendicitis

During the acute phase of appendicitis, no food should be consumed. In the recovery or remission phase, a semi-liquid diet is appropriate, such as drinking rice soup, noodle soup, and vegetable soup, and consuming vegetables like Chinese cabbage and cabbage to supplement dietary fiber and vitamins. On the day of appendicitis surgery, eating is also prohibited. A semi-liquid diet is recommended for 1 to 2 days post-surgery, gradually transitioning to a normal diet over 3 to 5 days. After transitioning to a normal diet, foods like beef, lamb, and eggs can be consumed to supplement nutrients and promote wound healing.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Does appendicitis cause diarrhea?

Patients with appendicitis may experience diarrhea and abdominal pain, tenderness, and rebound pain due to spasms in the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by vomiting and nausea. Those with severe systemic infections may also have a fever. Currently, appendicitis is primarily treated surgically, with options including the traditional McBurney's incision or laparoscopic appendectomy. In cases of appendiceal suppuration, postoperative antibiotic treatment against infection should be selected, using anti-anaerobic agents, and attention must be paid to postoperative diet, focusing on soft, easily digestible foods.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Does appendicitis cause fever?

Appendicitis often causes fever, due to systemic infection caused by inflammation entering the bloodstream. Generally, it only causes a low fever without chills. The temperature in suppurative appendicitis does not exceed 38 degrees Celsius. High fever above 38 degrees Celsius is mostly seen in cases of appendiceal perforation or concurrent peritonitis. In addition to fever, acute appendicitis also presents with abdominal pain, tenderness and rebound pain in the abdomen, tension in the abdominal muscles, as well as nausea, vomiting, and increased frequency of bowel movements due to reflexive gastric spasms.

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Written by Zhang Da Wei
General Surgery
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Does appendicitis hurt?

Appendicitis is generally divided into chronic and acute appendicitis. Both chronic and acute appendicitis can cause pain, which is usually severe. In cases of acute appendicitis, if the pain subsides after a while, it is actually more dangerous. It may indicate complications such as intestinal perforation or intestinal necrosis, leading to gradually diminishing pain. In such cases, timely surgical removal is necessary; otherwise, if local ulceration occurs, it can potentially affect the entire intestine. Thus, appendicitis generally causes pain, especially during the chronic phase. The pain is quite noticeable and, although generally bearable, can directly impact the quality of life.