English · A2 · vocabulary · 4 minutes
Health and the pharmacy
Describe symptoms, duration, and medicine needs clearly.
Understand the choice
Health communication separates symptom, duration, and treatment. State what hurts, how long it has continued, and what medicine or professional help you need.
Core rule: Use present perfect with since/for for a symptom continuing to now; medicine for/against a symptom is lexical.
Notice it in context
I have had a sore throat and a slight fever since yesterday.
Tengo dolor de garganta y un poco de fiebre desde ayer.
Have had is present perfect; since yesterday gives the starting point.
The pharmacy has medicine for a cough and tablets for pain.
The medicine shop provides cough treatment and solid pain doses.
Pharmacy, medicine, cough, tablet, and pain appear directly.
This prescription is for a bad cold and fever.
The doctor’s written order treats a cold and high temperature.
Prescription, cold, and fever appear directly.
What to remember
- A cold is an illness; cold without an article can mean low temperature.
- Medicine is often uncountable; a medicine can mean one type/product.
Common trap: Do not use since with a length: since Monday, but for three days.