Could It Be Appendicitis? Child Check Bot

It is night, your child has a stomach ache, and one question keeps spinning: could this be appendicitis? Calling an ambulance feels early, waiting feels risky. This bot helps you judge how worrying the situation is.

It calculates the probability of acute appendicitis in children and suggests a plan of action depending on the result. It was created by a pediatric surgeon, Vladimir Cheprasov.

How the bot works

The menu is simple, and the only command is for restarting: /start refreshes the menu if something freezes. After that you answer questions about your child's condition.

These questions resemble what a surgeon asks at an appointment: where it hurts, since when, whether there was fever, nausea, or vomiting. From your answers the bot estimates the probability and suggests a next step. 🩺

Why a doctor's tool beats a random website

The internet is full of tips like "press on the right side and you will know". With kids that does not work. A small child cannot describe pain precisely, and the picture is often blurred.

A tool from a practicing pediatric surgeon at least rests on real clinical experience. Even so, it remains a hint, not a diagnosis.

What doctors look for

• Pain. It often begins near the navel and then shifts to the lower right abdomen.
• Nausea and vomiting. They often appear after the pain starts.
• Temperature. It can be raised, but not always.
• Behavior. The child refuses food, lies with knees drawn up, avoids moving.
• Reaction to examination. The doctor checks how the belly responds to touch.

In young children the picture can be atypical, and time matters. It is better to see a doctor once too often than to wait.

Getting ready to talk to the doctor

Write down when the pain began, where it was at first, and where it moved. Note the temperature, any vomiting, stool, and what the child ate in the last hours. These details matter to a surgeon more than any guess.

Bring the insurance policy and your child's documents. If tests were already done, take them along.

What not to do before an exam

1. Do not give painkillers. They can mask symptoms and complicate diagnosis.
2. Do not warm the belly. Heat is dangerous with inflammation.
3. Do not give a laxative. It does not help and may do harm.
4. Do not feed the child. If surgery is possible, an empty stomach is needed.
5. Do not wait until morning. If the pain grows, call an ambulance.

Using the result sensibly

The bot offers a plan of action depending on the estimate. If the probability is high, do not delay: an in-person surgeon's exam is needed.

A low probability is not a reason to relax completely. Keep watching your child. If the pain intensifies or new symptoms appear, run the questions again and seek help.

When not to wait at all

Call an ambulance if the belly turns hard, the child quickly weakens or turns pale, vomiting repeats, or the pain keeps growing. In those cases you no longer need the bot. You need a doctor.

The bot is meant as help for parents, not as a replacement for an exam. Only a doctor can confirm any estimate. 💙