👤 Robert, 72, says "It's just a stomach bug"

Vitals: 118/74, HR 88, afebrile. Soft abdomen. Labs pending.
ER doc: "Probably viral."

3 hours later: OR for ruptured appendix.

⚠️ 50% of missed appendicitis is initially called "gastroenteritis."

In patients >65, gastroenteritis is a diagnosis of exclusion — never a first guess.