I don’t feel well! English Vocabulary for Illness

In this post we’ll learn a lot of English vocabulary for illness. First, we’ll start with some general English vocabulary for feeling sick. Then we’ll move on to vocabulary and expressions for talking about coughs, congestion, and headaches. After that we’ll move on to other English vocabulary for illness related to fevers and being sick to your stomach. Next we’ll cover some essential vocabulary for visiting the doctor. Finally, we’ll wrap up with expressions you can use when someone else is ill.

I’m sick.

Let’s start with some general English vocabulary for feeling sick.

• I’m sick. / I’m ill.
• I don’t feel well. / I’m not feeling well.
• I’m feeling a bit under the weather.
• I’m not feeling one hundred percent.
• I feel like garbage/crap. (familiar)
• I think I’m getting sick.

• I think I’m coming down with a cold/the flu/something.
• I have a cold/the flu.
• I have a cough.
• I’m congested. / I have a stuffy nose. / My nose is stuffed.
• I have a headache.
• I have a fever.
• I feel nauseated. / I feel sick to my stomach.
• I have no energy.
• I can’t go to work today. / I don’t feel up to going to work today.
• I can’t go to school today. / I don’t feel up to going to school today.

I have a bad cough.

A cough and a sore throat are common symptoms of all sorts of sicknesses.

• I have a bad cough.
• I have a sore throat. / My throat is sore.
• I’m constantly clearing my throat.
• I’m coughing a lot. / I can’t stop coughing.
• I’m coughing up a lot of mucus.
• I didn’t sleep well, because I coughed all night.
• My lungs are very congested.
• I need to take cough syrup.
• Do you have any cough drops?
• I’m losing my voice because I’m coughing so much.

 I have a stuffy nose.

The other really common symptom of being sick is a stuffy or runny nose.

• I have a stuffy/congested nose.
• My nose is stuffed/congested.
• My nose is running.
• I need a tissue.
• I need to blow my nose.
• I need to buy a decongestant.
• I can’t breathe through my nose.
• I sneeze a lot. / I can’t stop sneezing.
• My nose is driving me crazy.

I have a headache.

A headache or body aches are also pretty common when you’re sick.

• I have a terrible headache. / I have a splitting headache.
• My head is pounding / throbbing.
• Do you have aspirin?
• I ran out of aspirin.
• I need to lie down. / I need to get off my feet.
• I have a migraine.
• I have body aches.
• My whole body hurts!

I have a fever.

If you’re sick it’s important to know if you have a fever.

• I think I have a fever.
• I’m running a fever.
• You feel very warm to me.
• You need to take your temperature.
• Do you have a thermometer?
• You have a low fever. / You’re running a low fever.
• You have a high fever. / You’re running a high fever.
• You need to lower your temperature. / You have to bring your temperature down.
• My fever broke.

I’m going to throw up.

There are lots of other unpleasant symptoms that you may need to describe.

• I’m dizzy. / My head is spinning.
• I’m going to faint. / I’m going to pass out.
• I feel faint. / I feel lightheaded.
• I’m nauseated. / I’m sick to my stomach.
• I’m going to vomit/throw up.
• I’m going to puke/barf. (familiar)
• I have diarrhea.
• I have chills.
• I’m shivering.
• I’m sweating.
• I’m having night sweats.
• I’ve lost my sense of smell.
• I’ve lost my sense of taste.

At the doctor’s office

If you’re sick and it’s not going away, you need to go to the doctor.

• Have you gone to see the doctor?
• I need to make a doctor’s appointment.
• The nurse takes my blood pressure.
• The doctor looks in my throat and ears.
• What are your symptoms?
• You have an infection.
• You have the flu.
• You have bronchitis.
• You have pneumonia.
• You need antibiotics.
• Here is a prescription.
• You need to fill this prescription at a pharmacy.
• You need to isolate yourself.
• Don’t get anyone else sick.
•  You need to rest.
•  You need to drink a lot of fluids.
• I’m going to do blood tests on you.
• You need an X-ray.

Get Better Soon!

If you’re not sick but know someone who is, you may want to know how to say:

• Are you feeling any better today?
• Are you back on your feet?
•  How long have you been sick?
• You need to go to the doctor.
• Don’t get me sick!
• Can I bring you anything?
• I hope you feel better!
• Get well soon! / Feel better!

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