116 - 5-Minute English: Colds, Flus and Sickness

Understanding Colds, Flus, and Sicknesses

Introduction to the Episode

• Shawna introduces the American English podcast, aiming to teach U.S. English through expressions, pronunciation tips, and cultural stories.

• The episode focuses on vocabulary related to colds, flus, and other illnesses—useful for doctor visits or calling in sick.

Vocabulary and Collocations

• Shawna mentions that this episode contains advanced vocabulary specific to sickness; listeners are encouraged to take notes or access premium content for deeper learning.

• A collocation is defined as a group of words commonly used together; examples include "catch a cold" and "be allergic to."

Examples of Common Collocations

• "To catch a cold" means to become infected with a cold virus; it illustrates how context can clarify meaning.

• Another example is "to be allergic to," which pairs specific allergies with the preposition 'to' (e.g., allergic to peanuts).

Importance of Learning Collocations

• Recognizing collocations improves fluency; it's essential to note the correct prepositions when learning new vocabulary.

• Shawna emphasizes writing down phrases like "to suffer from" along with their definitions for better retention.

Types of Illnesses Discussed

• Chronic illnesses persist over time (e.g., cancer), while temporary conditions like car sickness or altitude sickness are also mentioned.

• The discussion includes various terms for vomiting (e.g., throw up), highlighting common experiences like morning sickness during pregnancy.

Narrative Example of Catching a Cold

Sick Day Reflections

Experiencing Illness

• The narrator describes the feeling of calling in sick, detailing symptoms like a sore throat, headache, and fever.

• A thermometer reading of 99°F indicates a slight fever; the narrator uses a wet washcloth for relief while taking medication to prevent migraines.

• The combination of Tylenol and ibuprofen is taken to relieve pain and reduce fever, showing proactive self-care.

Comfort Measures

• The narrator's mother brings a care package with chicken noodle soup and cough drops, emphasizing the importance of nurturing during illness.

• Symptoms include congestion and a phlegmy cough; the struggle with fluctuating nasal conditions leads to excessive tissue use.

Home Remedies and Over-the-Counter Medications

• Gargling salt water provides temporary relief for a sore throat; liquid diets are adopted due to swallowing difficulties.

• Discussion on over-the-counter medications regulated by the FDA highlights their safety and effectiveness for consumers.

Childhood Illnesses

• Nostalgia arises as the narrator recalls common childhood illnesses like pink eye, stomach flu, and chickenpox.

• The impact of vaccinations on reducing chickenpox cases is noted, reflecting changes in public health practices.

Allergies and Asthma

• An alarming statistic about peanut allergies among children illustrates rising health concerns; personal anecdotes about allergic reactions are shared.

• The narrator reflects on having asthma as a child, carrying an inhaler for emergencies—highlighting childhood health challenges.

Coping with Current Illness

• Despite feeling unwell, the narrator acknowledges that their situation could be worse compared to more severe illnesses like COVID or serious flu cases.

• Emphasis on self-care through homeopathic remedies alongside traditional medicine showcases personal coping strategies during sickness.

Reflecting on Childhood Experiences

• A conversation about childhood vomiting experiences leads to humorous memories related to school incidents involving throw-up cleanup.

Bonus Material and Vocabulary Learning

Importance of Bonus Material

• The speaker encourages listeners to enjoy the episode while highlighting the availability of bonus material that enhances vocabulary learning.

• Listeners can access premium content for Season 3 at americanenglishpodcast.com, which is designed to help with understanding phrasal verbs and collocations.

• A link to the bonus material is provided in the episode notes, making it easy for interested listeners to find additional resources.

• The speaker expresses gratitude towards the audience for their engagement with the podcast, reinforcing a sense of community among listeners.