Oh no! It looks like Squeaks might be getting sick. We all try to stay healthy, especially during cold and flu season, but sometimes we still catch something. And with a stuffy nose or sore throat, we might also get an earache.
Earaches are pretty common, especially in kids. By the time most kids turn two, they’ve probably had at least one earache. These earaches are often caused by the same germs that make us feel sick in other ways, like giving us a sore throat or stuffy nose. When these germs make our ears hurt, it’s called an ear infection.
When germs get into your ear, your body sends special helpers called white blood cells to fight them. These cells work hard to kill the germs, but we don’t usually feel them doing this. However, during an ear infection, something else happens that makes our ears hurt.
If we could peek inside our ears, we’d see they look like a tube with different parts. The ear has three main parts: the outer, middle, and inner ear. Ear infections usually happen in the middle ear. The eardrum separates the outer ear from the middle ear and helps us hear by picking up sounds.
Normally, the space behind the eardrum is filled with air. But when germs invade, white blood cells rush in to fight them, creating a lot of liquid and dead cells. This buildup pushes on the eardrum, making it feel like your ear is full. The pressure can stretch the eardrum, which isn’t meant to stretch like a balloon, and that’s what causes the pain.
If you think you have an ear infection, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. They’ll use a tool called an otoscope to look inside your ear. This tool has a bright light and a magnifying part to help the doctor see better. The doctor will check if your eardrum looks red and swollen from the pressure.
After examining your ear, the doctor will decide the best way to help you feel better. They might give you medicine to fight the germs faster or suggest you rest. Either way, you’ll be on your way to feeling better soon!
Thanks for learning with us! If you want to keep having fun and learning with Squeaks and me, hit the subscribe button, and we’ll see you next time at the Fort!
