Appendicitis PATIENT PreSchool Age Children What is appendicitis? Inside the tummy is a small part of the body called the appendix. The appendix does not have a job. The body does not need it. Germs can make it very sick. This is called appendicitis. You may have appendicitis. Doctors do not know why kids get appendicitis. But, you cannot get it from anything you eat. You cannot catch it like a cold. And, you did not do anything wrong to get it. What are the signs that your appendix is sick? • Hurting around or a little lower than your belly button • Hurting when you move • Throwing up Getting help when you hurt If your tummy hurts, tell a grown-up. They can try to help you feel better. Use these faces to show grown-ups how much you hurt. Pick the face that shows how your tummy feels, even if your face does not look same.