6 days ago
- General
- Medical News Today
Can strep throat cause appendicitis?
Strep throat and appendicitis are separate conditions, and there is no evidence that strep throat leads to appendicitis.
Sometimes, strep throat causes abdominal pain, which can mimic appendicitis. This may be due to the inflammatory response the infection causes or to swallowing Streptococci bacteria, which can irritate the bowels.
Strep throat, or streptococcal pharyngitis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria. It is most common in children ages 5 to 15 years . It causes symptoms such as a sore throat, pain when swallowing, and a sudden onset of fever.
Appendicitis is swelling and infection of the appendix, a small pouch in the bowel on the right side of the abdomen. It typically develops when something in the digestive tract becomes stuck in the appendix. Appendicitis causes symptoms such as pain in the abdomen and fever. If the appendix bursts, it can lead to serious complications, and surgery is usually necessary to remove it .
Abdominal pain may occur due to an inflammatory response to Streptococcus bacteria or appendicitis. In a 2018 study , researchers found that of 207 people undergoing ultrasound imaging for suspected appendicitis, 8 had appendicitis, and 35 had strep pharyngitis. None of the people involved had both conditions at the same time.
Doctors must treat appendicitis quickly to prevent serious complications. If anyone experiences the following symptoms of appendicitis, they should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room: abdominal pain that is worsening gradually
abdominal pain that moves to the lower right side
fever and vomiting
People may also experience nausea, constipation, diarrhea, urinary frequency, painful urination, and sudden confusion, which is more common in older adults.
