Preparing for an appointment

If your child has signs and symptoms common to mesenteric lymphadenitis, make an appointment with your family doctor or a pediatrician. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

Make a list of:

• Your child's symptoms, including nonabdominal symptoms and when they began. If possible, take your child's temperature several times before your appointment and record the results.
• Your child's key medical information, including other health conditions and the names of all medications, vitamins and supplements your child is taking, including doses. Also bring a record of your child's recent vaccinations.
• Questions to ask your doctor.

For possible mesenteric lymphadenitis, some questions to ask include:

• What's the likely cause of my child's condition? Are there other possible causes?
• What tests does my child need?
• Is my child at risk of complications from this condition?
• Does my child need treatment? If this is due to an infection, should my child take antibiotics?
• What can I do to help make my child more comfortable? What foods should my child avoid?
• What signs or symptoms should prompt me to call you while my child is recovering?
• Is my child contagious?
• When can my child return to school?

What to expect from your doctor

Your child's doctor might ask:

• Where is the pain?
• Has the pain moved from one part of your child's abdomen to another part?
• How severe is the pain? Does your child cry with pain?
• What makes the pain more severe?
• What helps relieve the pain?
• Has your child had similar problems before?
• Do other children in your family or at school or child care have similar symptoms?