Cultural notes

In most American cities, you can find quick medical care at what are called "walk-in" medical clinics. If you are sick and don't have a doctor, such clinics can provide prompt and relatively inexpensive treatment for minor illnesses.

Temperature in the U.S. is on the Fahrenheit rather than the Centigrade scale. 98.6 is considered a normal temperature.

There is no national health insurance plan in America. Most Americans are insured through their employers. Usually, employees pay monthly premiums in addition to the premiums their employers pay.

Action

NURSE: What seems to be the trouble?

YOU: I feel terrible. I have a fever and chills.

NURSE: What's your temperature?

YOU: 102 degrees.

NURSE: Have you taken anything for it?

YOU: Just some aspirin. What should I do?

NURSE: I think you better see one of our doctors. You probably have an infection. Can you come right now?

YOU: Yes, I'm on my way. I don't have any medical insurance. Is that all right?

NURSE: Don't worry. Our business office takes cash, personal checks, or credit cards.

Lesson 28 «At the Doctor’s Office»

Vocabulary

bacterial (adj.)

checks, he (to check)

Another way to express this is to say "he examines."

completely (adj.)

You may also use "entirely," "totally," "wholly," and "absolutely."

drugstore (noun)

A "drugstore" is also known as a "pharmacy" (a "druggist" is also a "pharmacist").

examination (noun as adj.)

An "examination" is commonly referred to as a "check up."

felt, I (to feel, past.)

Sometimes the verb "to feel" refers to a person's intuition or sense of something, as in "The patient feels that the doctor is right."

flu (noun)

fortunately (adv.)

A similar expression you learned is "to be in luck" ("You're in luck!").

hospital gown (noun)

Not to be confused with "evening gown" (a formal dress for women), a "hospital gown" is hardly a garment at all.

pills (noun, pl.)

"Pills" is the generic name for medicines that come in the form of "tablets," "caplets," or "capsules" (to be swallowed whole). To say that someone is a "pill" (slang) is to label them as "boring" or "unpleasant." (E.g.: "My aunt Betty is a real pill.")

prescription (noun)

Even though you will find many "over-the-counter" drugs which do not require a doctor's prescription at a pharmacy, you will find that many over-the-counter drugs available to you outside the U.S. require a prescription inside the U.S.

put on (inf., to put on)

The opposite of "to put on" ("to dress") is "to take off" ("to undress").

red (adj.)

relax (inf., to relax)

rest, I'll (to rest, fut.)

shows you into, she (to show someone into)

To "show someone into a room" means to "lead" someone (or have someone follow you) from one room to the next.

sign in, you (to sign in)

Whenever you are required to "sign in" to a place, you can also "check in." To "sign up" for something means that you are "adding your name to a list."

since (prep.)

sore (adj.)

symptoms (noun, pl.)

throat (noun)

wide (adj.)

When the doctor in this chapter's dialogue says "Let's take a look," he is telling you that he wants to begin his examination. Many doctors start by looking in your throat. They'll say "Open wide!" to you. Some doctors may ask you to "Say ahhh!" instead of "Open wide!" especially when talking to children.

wish, I (to wish)

write (inf., to write)

Story

At the medical clinic, you sign in and wait for your name to be called. A bit later, a nurse shows you into an examination room. She asks you to put on a hospital gown and to relax in an armchair. Fortunately, there are a lot of magazines to look at while you wait. The doctor arrives about thirty minutes later.