Health and Fitness

Health, Illness, and Symptoms Vocabulary: Word List and Examples Learn B1-level vocabulary for describing symptoms, visiting the doctor, and talking about illness and recovery. Word List symptom (a sign of illness), headache, fever (high temperature), cough, sneeze, sore throat, stomachache, dizzy (feeling unsteady), exhausted (very tired), nauseous (feeling sick), swollen (bigger than normal), bruise, rash (red skin spots), infection, allergy, prescription, pharmacy (chemist), injection (a shot), recover (get better), treatment, surgery (an operation), diagnosis, chronic (long-lasting), contagious (spreads easily), immune (protected from illness), ambulance, emergency room, physiotherapy, painkiller, bandage, cast (for a broken bone), crutches, wheelchair, checkup (routine exam), vaccine, chills (feeling cold and shivery), cramp (sudden muscle pain), blister, scar, faint (lose consciousness briefly). Examples: She has a fever and a sore throat, so she’s staying home from work. He broke his arm and had to wear a cast for six weeks. The flu is highly contagious, so wash your hands often. The doctor gave her a prescription for painkillers. Remember: many illness words pair with common collocations — «catch a cold,» «have a fever,» «take medication,» «see a doctor.»