Getting Sick

germs

Germs are spread from one person to another. In the case of the flu, the germ is a virus that grows inside the cells of your body. You can control the spread of germs by washing your hands.

germs

spread germs

He’s spreading germs. If you don’t cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough, germs will spread to other people.

spread germs

sneeze

He’s sneezing all over his desk. Germs can be found on desks, tables, door handles, computer keyboards–any surface.

sneeze

cough

He’s coughing. People cough when mucus (fluid) builds up in the lungs. A cough is a symptom of a cold or the flu.

cough

cough medicine

You can take cough medicine if you have a cough. It should help, but children don’t like it.

cough medicine

cold and flu medicine

This will help you feel better. You can get it from your pharmacy, but read the labels carefully and be very careful when giving it to children. Some children are too young to take it.

cough medicine

dizzy

He feels dizzy. This can be an early symptom of the flu. Your head feels like it’s spinning.

dizziness

running nose

When you’re sick, your nose runs. You have to blow your nose to get the extra mucus out of your body.

running nose

upset stomach

He has an upset stomach. Problems with the stomach can result in vomiting. Vomit is not a popular word in English. Here are some substitutes:

throw up

get sick

Before you throw up, you…

…feel nauseous

…feel queasy

upset stomach

sore throat

Many people get a sore throat when they are sick. This is an early symptom of a cold or the flu.

sore throat

body ache / muscle ache

Many people feel some pain or ache in their muscles when they have the flu.

backache

feeling (one’s) forehead

My mother always felt my forehead with her hand to tell if I was sick or not. If I felt hot, she said I had a fever.

feeling the forehead

thermometer

A thermometer is more accurate when trying to find out if a person has a fever.

thermometer

stay home in bed

If you have a fever, body ache, a sore throat, and a cough, you should stay home in bed. Stay warm. This will help you get better faster.

stay home in bed

drink liquids

Drink hot beverages like cofee, tea, or hot cold medicine. I like Thera-flu. It’s sold at the pharmacy and you put it into hot water and drink it when you have the flu.

drinking coffee

cold and flu medicine

Talk to a doctor or your pharmacist about the types of medicine you can take.

tablets

vaccine

There are flu vaccines available. Some prevent you from getting sick, and others help you to recover when you get sick.

The doctor is giving him a shot.

getting a shot
needle and syringe
needle

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