Describing Symptoms
Use these phrases to accurately describe your symptoms, explain how long you have been sick, and discuss medications with a doctor or pharmacist.
Key Phrases
Me duele un montón la cabeza y la garganta.
casualMy head and throat hurt a lot.
Common everyday phrasing using 'un montón' (a lot).
Tengo mucho dolor en el pecho cuando respiro profundamente.
neutralI have a lot of pain in my chest when I breathe deeply.
A clear, standard way to explain exactly where it hurts.
Siento un dolor constante en el estómago desde esta mañana.
politeI feel a constant pain in my stomach since this morning.
Slightly more formal, ideal when speaking to a doctor you just met.
Es un dolor bastante agudo, como un pinchazo que no desaparece.
neutralIt's a pretty sharp pain, like a pinch that won't go away.
Uses a relative clause ('que no desaparece') to add detail.
Llevo ya un par de días sintiéndome fatal, la verdad.
casualI've been feeling awful for a couple of days now, honestly.
Using 'llevo' + gerund is the most natural way to say how long something has been happening.
Los síntomas empezaron hace unos tres días, de forma muy repentina.
neutralThe symptoms started about three days ago, very suddenly.
Good for giving the doctor a specific timeline.
Creo que tengo fiebre y he tenido escalofríos por las noches.
neutralI think I have a fever and I've had chills at night.
Escalofríos (chills) is a very common symptom word.
Solo me he tomado un ibuprofeno, pero todavía me duele muchísimo.
neutralI've only taken an ibuprofen, but it still hurts a lot.
Use 'tomarse' (reflexive) for taking pills or medicine.
Soy alérgico a la penicilina, por lo que necesito otra opción.
neutralI am allergic to penicillin, so I need another option.
Crucial medical phrase; 'soy alérgico a' means 'I am allergic to'.
¿Qué me recomienda que tome para aliviar este dolor de cabeza?
neutralWhat do you recommend I take to relieve this headache?
Triggers the present subjunctive ('que tome') after 'recomienda'.
¿Sería posible que me recete algo más fuerte para la tos?
politeWould it be possible for you to prescribe me something stronger for the cough?
A very polite conditional request triggering the subjunctive ('recete').
Es fundamental que descanse bien y que beba mucho líquido hoy.
neutralIt is essential that you rest well and drink lots of fluids today.
Typical doctor advice using the present subjunctive.
Debería tomar estas pastillas cada ocho horas, preferiblemente con la comida.
politeYou should take these pills every eight hours, preferably with food.
Doctors often use the conditional ('debería') to give softer instructions.