Hey there! I just got back from my doctor’s checkup, and I’m happy to say everything is great! Do you remember when we talked about what happens during a doctor’s checkup? Well, my doctor did some of those things, like asking me to open my mouth wide, stick out my tongue, and say “ah!” while she looked inside my mouth and throat with a light. Maybe your doctor has done the same thing at one of your checkups!
One reason doctors ask you to say “ah” is to check your tonsils. Tonsils are small lumps in your throat that help protect your body from germs that can make you sick. You have a few tonsils in different places, like at the back of your nose, but the biggest ones are in the back of your throat—one on each side.
If you want to see your tonsils, stand in front of a mirror. Ask a friend or grownup to shine a flashlight into the back of your throat while you open your mouth wide, stick out your tongue, and say “ah!” You might see two little lumps deep in your throat. But remember, don’t touch them because you could hurt yourself!
Your tonsils are in the perfect spot to do their job. When you breathe in, whether through your nose or mouth, the air passes by your tonsils. Tonsils have sticky bumps that trap some of the germs in the air you breathe. This helps keep germs from getting deeper into your body and making you sick. After trapping the germs, your tonsils can also destroy them.
Sometimes, tonsils trap too many germs or some harmful ones, which can cause them to swell up, turn red, and make your throat sore. This is called tonsillitis. If you have tonsillitis, your doctor might suggest drinking lots of liquids, getting plenty of rest, and eating soft or cold foods like smoothies or soups until your throat feels better.
If you get tonsillitis a lot, a doctor might suggest removing your tonsils. Some people don’t have their tonsils anymore, and that’s okay! Even without tonsils, there are many other parts of our bodies that help fight germs. As we grow older, our tonsils do less work because the rest of our body gets better at fighting germs. In fact, kids usually have bigger tonsils than adults. By around age nine, tonsils start to shrink, and the chances of getting a sore throat from tonsillitis decrease.
Thanks for learning with us! If you have questions about health, the human body, or anything else, ask a grownup to help you leave a comment or send us an email at [email protected]. See you next time!
Make a Germ Catcher: Create your own “germ catcher” to understand how tonsils work. You’ll need a small piece of sticky tape and some glitter or tiny paper bits. Stick the tape on a piece of paper with the sticky side up. Sprinkle the glitter or paper bits over the tape. Notice how they stick to the tape, just like germs stick to your tonsils. Discuss with a friend or grownup how this helps keep you healthy.
Throat Observation: With the help of a grownup, use a flashlight to look at each other’s throats and try to spot the tonsils. Take turns saying “ah!” and see if you can find the little lumps. Talk about how your tonsils help you every day by catching germs.
Healthy Habits Chart: Create a chart to track healthy habits that help your body fight germs, like washing hands, eating fruits and vegetables, and getting enough sleep. Each day, mark off the habits you practiced. Discuss with a grownup how these habits, along with your tonsils, help keep you healthy.
