At the doctor
Raging fever or other pains... To be nursed, knows you explain!
A medical visit
Doctor: What seems to be the problem, Mr Kipps?
Patient: Well, I made an appointment because I’ve had a high fever for the past two days, with shivering and a headache.
Doctor: And they’re the only symptoms?
Patient: Yes. I thought I had flu, but I prefer to get it checked out…
Doctor: I see. Let’s listen to your chest first. [examines with stethoscope] Breathe deeply… good. Now say "Ahhh".
Patient: Ahhh.
Doctor: Your throat is slightly red, but that doesn’t explain the temperature. Let’s have a look at your ears. Mmm… yes. The right eardrum is inflamed. Is it painful?
Patient: Not really, just rather tickly.
Doctor: Well, it looks like you have an ear infection. We can get that cleared up quickly.
Patient: I used to get a lot of earache as a child so I was made to wear a hat all winter. But I thought it was a childhood illness…
Doctor: No, you can catch an ear infection at any age. There are some nasty bugs around at the moment, you know…
Patient: Will I have to take antibiotics?
Doctor: Yes, I’ll write out your prescription. And perhaps you should find that old hat…
Dialogue
high fever = forte température
shivering = frissons
flu = grippe
I’ll listen to your chest = je vais vous ausculter.
breathe deeply = respirer profondément
eardrum = tympan
painful = douloureux
tickly = chatouilleux
ear infection/earache = otite
We can get that cleared up. = On va vous débarrasser de ça.
childhood illness = maladie infantile
nasty bug = mauvais microbe
prescription = ordonnance
Familiar problems
feel dizzy I giddy. = J’ai la tête qui tourne.
I’ve got backache. = J’ai mal au dos.
I have a stomach upset. = J’ai l’estomac dérangé.
I’m aching all over. = J’ai mal partout.
I have a raging fever. = J’ai une fièvre de cheval.
I’m having coughing fits. = J’ai des quintes de toux.
I’m in pain. = Je souffre.
I suffer from migraines. = je souffre de migraines.
Speak about health...
I’m under the weather/I’m off colour. = je suis mal fichu.
I think I’m coming down with sth. = je crois que j’ai attrapé qch.
be as fit as a fiddle/be in the pink of health = se porter comme un charme
be as right as rain = (après une maladie) se porter comme un charme
be as sick as a parrot = en être malade
be back on one’s feet again = être de nouveau sur pied
be in good shape = être en forme
be the picture of health = respirer la santé
give sb a clean bill of health = trouver qn en parfait état de santé
have a cast-iron constitution = avoir une santé de fer
... and medicines
lozenges = pastilles
over-the-counter = vendu sans ordonnance
painkiller = calmant
travel-sickness pill = pilule contre le mal des transports