When traveling or living in Spanish-speaking countries, knowing how to communicate about health issues is crucial. This guide will help you master essential Spanish symptom vocabulary and common health terminology.
Common Illnesses and Conditions
You’ll encounter these terms frequently when discussing general health issues:
Basic Illnesses:
- resfriado (cold) – “Tengo un resfriado” (I have a cold)
- gripe (flu) – “La gripe me tiene en cama” (The flu has me in bed)
- alergia (allergy) – “Soy alérgico al polen” (I’m allergic to pollen)
- infección (infection) – “Tengo una infección de garganta” (I have a throat infection)
Chronic Conditions:
- diabetes (diabetes) – “Necesito controlar mi diabetes” (I need to control my diabetes)
- hipertensión (hypertension) – “Tomo medicina para la hipertensión” (I take medicine for hypertension)
- asma (asthma) – “Tengo un inhalador para el asma” (I have an inhaler for asthma)
Symptoms and Discomfort
Being able to describe your symptoms accurately is essential:
Common Symptoms:
- fiebre (fever) – “Tengo fiebre alta” (I have a high fever)
- tos (cough) – “Tengo tos seca” (I have a dry cough)
- dolor de cabeza (headache) – “Me duele mucho la cabeza” (My head hurts a lot)
- náuseas (nausea) – “Tengo náuseas y mareos” (I feel nauseous and dizzy)
Pain and Discomfort:
- dolor (pain) – Can be combined with body parts: – dolor de estómago (stomach ache) – dolor de garganta (sore throat) – dolor de espalda (back pain)
Injuries and Accidents
Know these terms for emergency situations:
Common Injuries:
- corte (cut) – “Me he hecho un corte en el dedo” (I cut my finger)
- quemadura (burn) – “Tengo una quemadura leve” (I have a minor burn)
- fractura (fracture) – “Creo que tengo una fractura” (I think I have a fracture)
- esguince (sprain) – “Me he hecho un esguince en el tobillo” (I sprained my ankle)
Useful Phrases for Medical Situations
- “Necesito ver a un médico” (I need to see a doctor)
- “¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano?” (Where is the nearest hospital?)
- “Es una emergencia” (It’s an emergency)
- “¿Tiene efectos secundarios?” (Does it have side effects?)
- “Necesito una receta” (I need a prescription)
Body Parts
Knowing body parts helps you explain where it hurts:
- cabeza (head)
- pecho (chest)
- estómago (stomach)
- brazo (arm)
- pierna (leg)
- garganta (throat)
- oído (ear)
- ojo (eye)
Remember to carry important medical information in Spanish, including any allergies, medications you take, and pre-existing conditions. This vocabulary will help you communicate effectively in health-related situations in Spanish-speaking environments.