Describing symptoms at the hospital (intermediate)
I've been feeling unwell for a few days and returned to the hospital. The doctor asks in detail when it started, what kind of pain it is, and when it gets worse. You need to mention allergies and whether you have a prescription.
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I've been feeling really off for a few days.
'Under the weather' is an idiom that gently expresses 'mild malaise or cold symptoms'.
It started about three days ago.
The pain comes and goes.
It means it's intermittent and not constant. The opposite is 'It's constant'.
It feels like a sharp pain here (it's a stabbing pain).
Types of pain: sharp, dull, throbbing, burning. The doctor will definitely ask.
It gets worse when I move.
I have a penicillin allergy.
The pattern is 'allergic to + allergen'. This is important safety information that must be shared before getting a prescription.
Do I need a prescription?
- 1
When explaining symptoms, say [when it started] + [what kind of pain it is] + [when it gets worse] in three parts, and the doctor will understand immediately.
- 2
Just remember this order.
- under the weather — Feeling sluggish, under the weather
- sharp pain — Stabbing pain
- dull ache — Dull, persistent pain
- prescription — Prescription
- allergic — having allergies