Describing Symptoms

Telling a doctor how you feel and what's wrong.

You
Doctor, no me siento bien. Tengo fiebre y escalofríos.
dohk-TOHR, noh meh see-EHN-toh bee-EHN. TEHN-goh fee-EH-breh ee ehs-kah-loh-FREE-ohs.
Doctor, I don't feel well. I have a fever and chills.
'No me siento bien' is the most common way to say you feel unwell. Memorize this phrase before your trip.
Doctor
¿Desde cuándo se siente así?
DEHS-deh KWAHN-doh seh see-EHN-teh ah-SEE?
How long have you been feeling this way?
Doctors in Latin America often use the formal 'usted' form with patients, which is why you hear 'se siente' instead of 'te sientes'.
You
Desde ayer. También tengo náuseas y dolor de cabeza.
DEHS-deh ah-YEHR. tahm-bee-EHN TEHN-goh NOW-seh-ahs ee doh-LOHR deh kah-BEH-sah.
Since yesterday. I also have nausea and a headache.
Doctor
Voy a revisarlo. Abra la boca y diga 'ah', por favor.
voy ah reh-vee-SAHR-loh. AH-brah lah BOH-kah ee DEE-gah 'ah', pohr fah-VOHR.
I'm going to examine you. Open your mouth and say 'ah', please.
You
¿Es algo grave, doctor?
ehs AHL-goh GRAH-veh, dohk-TOHR?
Is it something serious, doctor?
'Grave' means serious or severe when talking about health. It's a useful word to understand when listening to a diagnosis.