Health and Illness Vocabulary in English: Words, Examples and Quiz

a common, mild illness that gives you a runny nose, a sore throat and a cough

I have a bad cold, so I'm staying at home today.

an illness like a very bad cold, with a high temperature and pain in your body; short for influenza

Half of my class is off school with the flu.

a body temperature that is higher than normal because you are ill

The baby has a fever, so we're taking him to the doctor.

an illness where you often push air out of your throat with a loud noise; also the verb for doing this

I've had a cough for a week.

a pain in your throat, especially when you swallow

Drink some hot tea with honey for your sore throat.

a nose that has liquid coming out of it, usually because of a cold

I have a runny nose and I keep sneezing.

a pain in your head

I have a terrible headache. It's too noisy in here.

a pain in your stomach; British English writes stomach ache

I ate too much and now I have a stomachache.

a pain in one of your teeth

I need to see a dentist. I have a toothache.

a medical problem where your body reacts badly to something, like some foods, dust or plants

She has an allergy to nuts, so be careful with the cake.

an illness caused by bacteria or a virus in part of your body

The doctor said I have an ear infection.

an illness from eating bad or old food, which can make you vomit

I got food poisoning from some chicken on holiday.

an illness that sometimes makes it hard to breathe; the th is silent

My son has asthma, so he always carries an inhaler.

not well, ill; in British English, be sick also means vomit and feel sick means you think you will vomit

I can't come to work today. I'm sick.

not well; more common in British English, and not usually used before a noun

She was ill for two weeks last winter.

the feeling you have when part of your body hurts

I have a sharp pain in my chest.

to have a pain that continues for a long time but is not very strong

My legs ache after the long walk.

to feel pain in a part of your body; also to cause pain or injury

My back hurts when I sit for a long time.

how hot your body is; in British English, have a temperature means have a fever

The nurse took my temperature.

feeling that everything is turning around you and you might fall

I stood up too fast and felt dizzy.

to suddenly push air out of your nose with a loud noise

Cats make me sneeze.

to bring food back up from your stomach through your mouth; informal for vomit

He threw up twice in the night.

an area of small red spots on your skin

I got a rash after using the new soap.

making you want to scratch your skin

Mosquito bites are really itchy.

bigger than normal because of an injury or illness

My ankle is swollen after the fall.

damage to the body, for example in an accident or in sports

He can't play this weekend because of a knee injury.

an opening in the skin made by something sharp; also the verb

I have a small cut on my finger from the knife.

a dark blue or purple mark on the skin after you hit something

I walked into the table and got a big bruise on my leg.

an injury from fire or something very hot; also the verb

Put cold water on the burn for ten minutes.

to damage a bone so it cracks or separates

She broke her arm skiing.

to hurt a joint like your ankle or wrist by turning it suddenly

I sprained my ankle on the stairs.

to lose blood from a cut or injury

Your nose is bleeding. Here's a tissue.

a long piece of cloth that you put around an injury

The nurse put a bandage on my hand.

a hard cover that keeps a broken bone still while it heals; British English often says plaster cast

He had his leg in a cast for six weeks.

a person whose job is to treat ill or injured people

You should see a doctor about that cough.

a person whose job is to care for ill or injured people, often in a hospital

The nurse gave me some water and a blanket.

a person who is getting help from a doctor or is in a hospital

The doctor sees about thirty patients a day.

a large building where ill or injured people are treated

My grandfather is in the hospital. (British English: in hospital)

a fixed time to see a doctor or dentist

I'd like to make an appointment for tomorrow morning.

a paper or message from a doctor that lets you get a medicine

You need a prescription for these antibiotics.

a shop where you can buy medicine; American English also says drugstore, British English chemist's

Is there a pharmacy near the hotel?

something you take, usually a pill or a liquid, to treat an illness

Take this medicine three times a day after meals.

a small, hard piece of medicine that you swallow; also called a tablet

I take a pill for my headaches.

a medicine that makes pain less strong

Take a painkiller and lie down for a while.

medicine put into your body through a needle; American English often says shot

The nurse gave me an injection in my arm.

when a doctor cuts into the body to repair or remove something; American English often says surgery

She's having an operation on her knee next week.

a vehicle that takes ill or injured people to hospital quickly

Call an ambulance! He can't breathe.

the part of a hospital for people who need help immediately; the ER in American English, A&E in British English

We spent four hours in the emergency room last night.

not ill and in good condition; also good for your body

Eat healthy food and get enough sleep.

healthy and strong, especially because you exercise

I want to get fit before the summer.

the food you usually eat; also a plan to eat less or eat differently

A good diet has lots of fruit and vegetables.

a visit to a doctor or dentist to make sure you are healthy; American English also writes checkup

I go for a check-up once a year.

to relax or sleep so your body can get better

The doctor told me to rest for a few days.

to get an illness from someone or something; past form caught

I caught a cold from my little brother.

to become healthy again after an illness

I hope you get better soon.

to become healthy again; a little more formal than get better

It took him a month to recover from the operation.