Hey there! Today, we’re going to learn about what happens when we get sick with a cold or the flu. Even robot rats can catch a cold! But don’t worry, the more you know about it, the less scary it is. Let’s dive into what we’ve learned about getting sick and how to feel better.
Colds and the flu are caused by tiny things called viruses. These viruses are so small that you can’t see them, even with most microscopes. They can sneak into your body through your nose, mouth, or eyes. Once inside, they start making copies of themselves, which can make you feel yucky.
Your body has some cool ways to fight off viruses. One way is by making mucus, the sticky stuff in your nose. Mucus traps the viruses and helps wash them out of your body. Sneezing is another way your body gets rid of viruses. When you sneeze, air rushes out of your mouth and nose, carrying the viruses away.
When you have a fever, your body gets hotter than usual. This is another way your body fights viruses because they don’t like the heat. The fever makes it harder for viruses to make copies of themselves, helping your body get rid of them.
Getting lots of rest is one of the best things you can do when you’re sick. Resting saves energy, which your body uses to fight the virus. Drinking lots of healthy fluids like water, juice, and soup also helps your body recover.
The best way to avoid getting sick is to wash your hands often with warm water and soap. It’s especially important to wash your hands after coming home from school or the store. Try to keep your hands away from your face, especially your nose, mouth, and eyes.
When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue and throw it away afterward. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze into your elbow instead of your hands. This helps keep germs from spreading to other people.
Sneezing happens when something irritates the inside of your nose. Tiny hairs and mucus in your nose catch dust, pollen, and other particles. When these things irritate your nose, your brain tells your body to sneeze to get rid of them. Sneezing is a reflex, which means it happens automatically without you thinking about it.
Boogers are dried-up mucus mixed with dirt and germs. They form when the air you breathe is dry, causing the mucus in your nose to dry out. Boogers help trap germs and keep them from going deeper into your body. It’s important not to pick your nose because boogers are full of germs.
Washing your hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs. Water can dissolve dirt and salt, but it can’t dissolve oil. Soap helps by sticking to the oil and washing it away with water. This is why using soap is important for cleaning your hands.
Remember, your body works hard to keep you healthy. By washing your hands and covering your sneezes, you can help your body stay strong and avoid getting sick. Stay healthy and have fun learning!
Make Your Own Germ Catcher: Create a simple experiment to see how germs spread and how we can stop them. Use glitter as pretend germs. Sprinkle a little glitter on one child’s hand and have them shake hands with another child. Watch how the “germs” spread! Now, try washing the glitter off with just water, and then with soap and water. Which works better? Discuss why soap is important in washing away germs.
Fever Detective: Use a thermometer to explore how temperature changes. Ask an adult to help you measure the temperature of warm water and cold water. Discuss how your body uses fever to fight off viruses. Why do you think viruses don’t like heat? Draw a picture of what you think happens to viruses when your body gets a fever.
Sneeze Simulation: Use a spray bottle filled with water to simulate a sneeze. Spray a fine mist into the air and observe how far the droplets travel. Discuss why it’s important to cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze. Try sneezing into your elbow and see how it stops the spray. Why is this a good way to prevent spreading germs?
