Visiting a Doctor
Rahul has had a fever and sore throat for two days, so he visits Dr. Mehta's clinic to describe his symptoms and get treatment.
Key words and phrases
Useful sentences
- Ask What symptoms have you been having?
- Answer I've had a fever and sore throat for two days.
- Ask Have you checked your temperature at home?
- Answer Yes, it was around 101 degrees this morning.
- Ask Do you have any allergy to medicines?
- Answer No, I don't have any known allergies.
- Ask Can you check my throat, doctor?
- Answer It looks a bit red. You have a mild throat infection.
- Ask Will I need a blood test?
- Answer Not right now, but let's do one if the fever doesn't go down.
- Ask How should I take this medicine?
- Answer Take one tablet twice a day after meals.
- Ask Are there any side effects of this medicine?
- Answer It might make you feel a little drowsy, that's all.
- Ask How many days will it take to recover?
- Answer You should feel better in three to four days.
- Ask Should I come back for a follow-up visit?
- Answer Yes, come back next week if you're still not feeling well.
- Ask What is the consultation fee?
- Answer It's five hundred rupees, payable at the reception.
Dialogue
ReceptionistGood morning. Do you have an appointment with Dr. Mehta?
RahulYes, I booked one for eleven o'clock. My name is Rahul.
Dr. MehtaCome in, Rahul. What symptoms have you been having?
RahulI've had a fever and sore throat for two days, doctor.
Dr. MehtaLet me check your throat and temperature.
Dr. MehtaYou have a mild throat infection. Nothing serious.
RahulThat's a relief. What medicine should I take?
Dr. MehtaI'm writing a prescription. Take one tablet twice a day after meals.
RahulHow many days will it take to recover?
Dr. MehtaYou should feel better in three to four days. Come back if it doesn't improve.
Common mistakes
- Saying "I am having fever" instead of "I have a fever" — fever is used with the simple present, not the continuous form.
- Saying "body pain is there" instead of "I have body pain" — avoid the direct translation from Hindi.
- Saying "take rest" without an article issue is fine, but saying "do rest" is incorrect — the correct verb is "take rest."
- Confusing "physician" and "surgeon" — a physician treats illnesses with medicine, a surgeon performs operations.
- Saying "my stomach is paining" instead of "my stomach hurts" or "I have a stomach ache."
- Saying "checkup" for a doctor's fee inquiry instead of "consultation fee" — checkup refers to the examination itself.
Quick quiz
1. What is a "prescription"?
2. Complete: "You have a mild throat ___."
3. What does "recover" mean?
4. A person who greets visitors and manages appointments is called a ___.
5. What is "dosage"?
6. Complete: "This medicine may cause mild ___ like drowsiness."
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