Questions: Going to the Doctor

Question 1

Why do you go to the doctor even when you feel fine?

• A. Because your parents make you
• B. To make sure everything in your body is growing and working well, and to catch any problems early
• C. Because the doctor misses you
• D. Only to get candy from the reception desk

Answer: (B)

Regular checkups let the doctor look for things you might not notice yourself — like whether you are growing at a healthy rate, whether your eyes and ears are working well, and whether you need any vaccines. Catching a small problem early is much easier than waiting until it becomes a big one.

Question 2

Vaccines give you the disease they are supposed to prevent.

• T. True
• F. False

Answer: False

Vaccines do not give you the disease. They teach your body how to recognize and fight the germ so that if you ever meet the real germ, your body already knows what to do. It is like a practice drill — your body learns the defense without actually getting sick.

Question 3

Name three things a doctor checks during a regular checkup.

Model answer: A doctor may check your height and weight to see how you are growing, listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope, look in your ears and throat, check your eyes, and test your reflexes.

Each of these checks tells the doctor something about how your body is doing. Height and weight show if you are growing well. Listening to your heart and lungs tells the doctor they are working normally. Looking in your ears checks for infections. These are routine checks that help keep you healthy.