To know if your appendix has burst (ruptured), watch for these key signs and symptoms:

• Severe abdominal pain that initially starts around the belly button and then shifts to the lower right side of the abdomen. The pain may become more intense and spread across your abdomen after rupture

• Sudden worsening of abdominal pain, especially when moving, coughing, sneezing, or taking deep breaths

• Fever and chills indicating infection

• Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite

• Abdominal swelling or bloating, which may indicate advanced infection or rupture

• Tenderness and rigidity of the abdominal muscles, especially when pressing on the abdomen

• Symptoms of infection spreading, such as weakness, confusion, or disorientation, which may signal sepsis, a life-threatening complication

• Increased frequency and pain during urination if the inflamed appendix irritates the bladder

• Inability to pass gas, constipation, or diarrhea

A ruptured appendix typically occurs if appendicitis is left untreated for more than 24 to 72 hours, causing the appendix to tear and release infectious material into the abdominal cavity, which can lead to peritonitis (infection of the abdominal lining) and sepsis

. If you experience these symptoms, especially severe abdominal pain combined with fever, vomiting, and signs of infection or confusion, seek emergency medical care immediately. A ruptured appendix is a medical emergency requiring prompt treatment, usually surgery