When we are sick or injured, we need to describe how we feel and what is wrong with us. This lesson will help you learn useful words and phrases to talk about health problems and treatments in English!
Common Symptoms and Injuries 🏥
| Word | Part of Speech | Example Sentence | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pale | Adjective | You look very pale. Are you feeling okay? 😕 | Having skin that is whiter than usual, often because of illness or fear. |
| Bruise | Noun | I have a big bruise on my arm. 😟 | A dark mark on your skin caused by a hit or fall. |
| Nasty cut | Noun phrase | That’s a nasty cut! You need to clean it. 🩹 | A deep or serious wound that is painful. |
| Stiff | Adjective | My neck feels really stiff. It aches all the time. 😖 | Hard to move because of pain or tight muscles. |
| Sore throat | Noun phrase | I have a sore throat. It must be that virus. 🤧 | Pain in your throat, often caused by a cold. |
| High temperature | Noun phrase | He has a high temperature, so he’s staying in bed. 🤒 | When your body is hotter than normal because of illness. |
| Allergic reaction | Noun phrase | My skin is red and itchy. I think it’s an allergic reaction. 😬 | A bad response from your body to something like food or pollen. |
Medical Treatment and Solutions 🏥💊
| Word | Part of Speech | Example Sentence | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appointment | Noun | I don’t have an appointment, but I really need to see a doctor. 📅 | A time you arrange to see a doctor or specialist. |
| Injection | Noun | You will need an injection to stop the pain. 💉 | A way of putting medicine into your body using a needle. |
| Operation | Noun | He had an operation on his heart. ❤️ | A medical procedure where doctors cut into the body to fix something. |
| Infection | Noun | I have an infection in my tooth. 😷 | When bacteria or a virus makes part of your body swollen or painful. |
| Stitches | Noun | My cut was so deep that I needed ten stitches. 🩹 | A way of closing a deep cut with thread. |
| X-ray | Noun | The doctor took an X-ray of my arm. 🦴 | A special picture of bones inside the body. |
| Rest | Noun | I feel exhausted. I need some rest. 🛏️ | A time when you stop working or moving to relax. |
| Treatment | Noun | He is still having treatment for his back pain. 🏥 | Medical care to help you get better. |
Conversation 1: At the Doctor’s Office 🏥
👩⚕️ Doctor: Good morning! What seems to be the problem?
🧑 Patient: Good morning, doctor. I’ve been feeling really bad since yesterday. I have a high temperature and a terrible headache.
👩⚕️ Doctor: Hmm… Let me check your temperature. Yes, it’s quite high. Do you have a sore throat or any other symptoms?
🧑 Patient: Yes, my throat is very sore, and I feel really tired.
👩⚕️ Doctor: It sounds like a virus. You should get plenty of rest and drink lots of water. I’ll also give you some medicine.
🧑 Patient: Thank you, doctor!
Conversation 2: A Sports Injury 🎾
🧑 Jack: Hey, Sarah! What happened to your arm?
👩 Sarah: Oh, I had a little accident while playing tennis. I fell and bruised my arm. It still hurts a bit.
🧑 Jack: Ouch! That looks like a nasty cut too. Did you go to the doctor?
👩 Sarah: Yes, I did. The doctor said it wasn’t broken, but I needed stitches for the cut.
🧑 Jack: That sounds painful! Did you need an X-ray?
👩 Sarah: No, just some treatment and rest. The doctor told me not to play for a few weeks.
🧑 Jack: Well, take care! Let me know if you need anything.
👩 Sarah: Thanks, Jack!
Let’s Play!
1️⃣ Quiz Time
2️⃣Complete the sentences
3️⃣ Speaking Time!
🎭 Role Plays
1️⃣ Click on the link below to see the conversations.
2️⃣ Read through the conversations and practice the dialogues with a partner.
3️⃣ Take turns playing the roles of the doctor and patient.
4️⃣ Use the target vocabulary you’ve learned during the role play.
5️⃣ After practicing, switch roles and do the conversation again.
6️⃣ Be sure to practice speaking clearly and using the correct phrases.
HEALTH
- A Medical Emergency
- Going to an Emergency Room
- A Stomachache
- A Toothache
- Buying Over-the-Counter Medicine
- Filling Prescription
- Calling in Sick
- Missing Classes
- Changing an Appointment Time
- Going Home Early Because Of Being Ill
- Having a Blood Test in the Lab