There is a common saying that says:
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away“.
This might be true sometimes but this measure will not prevent from catching colds, flus, stomach bugs and so on.
From time to time you might feel run down (hecho polvo) and then you’ll probably coming down with a cold (cogiendo un resfriado). That means that you have a runny nose (moqueo nasal), a sore throat, your head is pounding and you are bunged up (congestionado). You’ll also be coughing and sneezing all day long.
If you go to your GP (médico de cabecera) and you want to explain all 
these symptoms avoid saying “I have bogeys” /bougiis/ (tengo mocos). In Spain this is widely accepted but in England it is “off limits” (prohibido). Say you have a runny nose and of course try not to sniff (sorber la nariz) too much and blow your nose (sonarse) instead.
The kids in England catch the same contagious illnesses as the ones in Spain. But do you know how to say this in English? If your child breaks down in a rash (le sale un sarpullido) they might have chicken pox (varicela) or mumps (paperas) .
It’s clear that nobody likes hospitals but unfortunately we are not invincible and sooner or later we have to cross those doors, go into those endless corridors, then into the waiting room and from there into a ward (habitación) or into the operating theatre (quirófano).
Every now and then you go to the hospital for a regular check up, but if you have broken your arm or leg you’ll be taken to an X-ray and after being operating on you will need a cast (escayola). If you’re lucky you might not have anything broken just sprained or twisted (esguince) and then you’ll need a bandage. If you are seriously ill you must go to the ER (Emergency Room) and you’ll probably put on a stretcher (camilla) and the doctor on call (de guardia) will decide where you will be taken and if you need a drip (gotero).
Some people might faint or pass out (desmayarse) due to their illness or due to the fact that they can’t stand blood /blaaad/ or needles (agujas) and when they come round (recuperar la conciencia) they still have to pull through (recuperarse).
I hope you only have to go to the hospital for happy events and you have an excellent medical record. Take care!
By Crina.
