Feeling under the weather? Or maybe you’re just looking to sound like an expert on all those little aches and pains we humans love to talk about? Learning health and illness vocabulary is essential, not only for sharing how you feel but also for understanding what’s going on when someone else isn’t at their best. From describing symptoms to making that all-important doctor’s appointment, this lesson will walk you through common health and illness words—with a touch of humor to keep things light. Because let’s face it, “sore throat” sounds less annoying when it’s funny!
Vocabulary List
| Vocabulary Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Cough | A sudden forceful release of air from the lungs. | I have a cough and can’t stop coughing. |
| Fever | A higher-than-normal body temperature. | He has a fever and feels really hot. |
| Headache | A pain in the head. | She took medicine for her headache. |
| Sore throat | Pain or irritation in the throat. | My sore throat makes it hard to swallow. |
| Cold | A common viral infection causing sneezing, sore throat, and coughing. | I caught a cold after standing in the rain. |
| Flu | A more serious viral infection with symptoms like fever and aches. | She stayed in bed because of the flu. |
| Allergy | A reaction to certain foods, plants, or animals. | He has an allergy to peanuts. |
| Nausea | Feeling of sickness with an urge to vomit. | The smell of fish makes me feel nausea. |
| Stomachache | Pain in the stomach area. | I have a stomachache after eating too much. |
| Back pain | Discomfort or pain in the back. | Sitting all day gives me back pain. |
Expanded Vocabulary
| Vocabulary Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription | Medication given by a doctor. | The doctor gave me a prescription for antibiotics. |
| Symptom | A sign that indicates a health problem. | Fever and cough are symptoms of the flu. |
| Diagnosis | Identifying an illness from symptoms. | The doctor’s diagnosis was just a cold. |
| Infection | An invasion of the body by harmful microorganisms. | The wound got infected because it wasn’t cleaned. |
| Medicine | A substance used to treat or prevent illness. | I took some medicine to relieve my headache. |
Key Phrases
- I feel… (sick, dizzy, etc.)
- Example: “I feel sick after eating that seafood.”
- Example: “I feel dizzy and need to sit down.”
- I have a… (fever, cold, etc.)
- Example: “I have a cold and can’t stop sneezing.”
- Example: “I have a headache that won’t go away.”
- Do you have any… (medicine, advice, etc.)?
- Example: “Do you have any medicine for a sore throat?”
- Example: “Do you have any advice for dealing with allergies?”
- I need to see a doctor.
- Example: “I need to see a doctor about my headache.”
- Example: “I think it’s time to see a doctor about this cough.”
- I think I’m coming down with…
- Example: “I think I’m coming down with the flu.”
- Example: “I feel terrible—I might be coming down with a cold.”
Example Descriptions
Example Paragraph:
“I woke up this morning feeling terrible. First, I noticed a sore throat, and then I realized I had a headache too! I’m pretty sure I caught a cold from my friend who was sneezing non-stop yesterday. I took some medicine for my headache, but if it doesn’t go away, I might need to see a doctor. Hopefully, it’s just a cold and not the flu!”
Common Questions
- What are your symptoms?
- Example: I have a fever and a sore throat.
- Do you feel nauseous?
- Example: Yes, I feel nauseous after eating that sandwich.
- How long have you had this pain?
- Example: I’ve had back pain for two days now.
- Have you taken any medicine?
- Example: Yes, I took some painkillers.
- Do you have any allergies?
- Example: I’m allergic to pollen.
Invitation to Practice:
Practice using these words by describing a time when you felt unwell (or make up a funny story!). Share your sentences with a study group or in the comments. Let’s see who has the best “I was so sick that…” story!