Illnesses are conditions that affect your body or mind and make you feel unwell. This page covers common English words for illnesses, including those caused by infections, chronic conditions, and everyday ailments. You’ll also find example sentences to show you how these words are used in context.
Infectious Illnesses
Infectious illnesses are caused by germs like bacteria, viruses, or fungi. They can spread from person to person through coughing, touching, or other contact.
English Illness | English Example | Spanish Translation | Spanish Example | Spanish Example Translation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cold | I have a cold and a runny nose. | Resfriado | Tengo un resfriado y me gotea la nariz. | I have a cold and my nose is running. |
Flu | The flu can cause fever and body aches. | Gripe | La gripe puede causar fiebre y dolores corporales. | The flu can cause fever and body aches. |
Strep throat | Strep throat makes it painful to swallow. | Faringitis estreptocócica | La faringitis estreptocócica hace que tragar sea doloroso. | Strep throat makes swallowing painful. |
Chickenpox | Chickenpox causes itchy red spots on the skin. | Varicela | La varicela causa manchas rojas y picazón en la piel. | Chickenpox causes red, itchy spots on the skin. |
COVID- | COVID-19 symptoms include cough and loss of taste. | COVID- | Los síntomas de COVID-19 incluyen tos y pérdida del gusto. | COVID-19 symptoms include cough and loss of taste. |
Chronic Illnesses
Chronic illnesses are long-term health conditions that may require ongoing treatment or management.
English Illness | English Example | Spanish Translation | Spanish Example | Spanish Example Translation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Diabetes | Diabetes affects how your body uses sugar. | Diabetes | La diabetes afecta cómo tu cuerpo usa el azúcar. | Diabetes affects how your body uses sugar. |
Asthma | Asthma can make it hard to breathe during an attack. | Asma | El asma puede dificultar la respiración durante un ataque. | Asthma can make breathing difficult during an attack. |
Arthritis | Arthritis causes pain and stiffness in the joints. | Artritis | La artritis causa dolor y rigidez en las articulaciones. | Arthritis causes pain and stiffness in the joints. |
Hypertension | Hypertension means high blood pressure. | Hipertensión | La hipertensión significa presión arterial alta. | Hypertension means high blood pressure. |
Migraine | A migraine is a severe headache that may cause nausea. | Migraña | La migraña es un dolor de cabeza fuerte que puede causar náuseas. | A migraine is a severe headache that can cause nausea. |
Common Ailments
These are everyday illnesses and conditions that most people experience at some point.
English Illness | English Example | Spanish Translation | Spanish Example | Spanish Example Translation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Headache | I have a headache from staring at the screen too long. | Dolor de cabeza | Tengo dolor de cabeza de mirar la pantalla mucho tiempo. | I have a headache from looking at the screen too long. |
Stomachache | She stayed home because of a stomachache. | Dolor de estómago | Ella se quedó en casa por un dolor de estómago. | She stayed home because of a stomachache. |
Sore throat | A sore throat can make talking uncomfortable. | Dolor de garganta | El dolor de garganta puede dificultar hablar. | A sore throat can make talking difficult. |
Fever | A fever is a sign that your body is fighting an infection. | Fiebre | La fiebre es una señal de que el cuerpo combate una infección. | Fever means your body is fighting an infection. |
Allergies | Allergies can cause sneezing and itchy eyes. | Alergias | Las alergias pueden causar estornudos y picazón en los ojos. | Allergies can cause sneezing and itchy eyes. |
Injuries and Other Conditions
These are not illnesses but are important health terms for describing accidents and other medical situations.
English Illness | English Example | Spanish Translation | Spanish Example | Spanish Example Translation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fracture | He has a wrist fracture from falling off his bike. | Fractura | Tiene una fractura de muñeca por caerse de la bici. | He has a wrist fracture from falling off his bike. |
Burn | Be careful with that pan; I got a burn yesterday. | Quemadura | Ten cuidado con esa sartén; ayer me quemé. | Be careful with that pan; I got a burn yesterday. |
Concussion | After the fall, she was treated for a mild concussion. | Conmoción cerebral | Luego de la caída, la trataron por una conmoción cerebral leve. | After the fall, she was treated for a mild concussion. |
Sprain | I sprained my ankle playing basketball. | Esguince | Me hice un esguince en el tobillo jugando baloncesto. | I sprained my ankle playing basketball. |
Rash | The baby has a rash on his chest. | Erupción | El bebé tiene una erupción en el pecho. | The baby has a rash on his chest. |
Mental Health
Mental health conditions affect your mood, thinking, and behavior. They are just as important as physical illnesses.
English Illness | English Example | Spanish Translation | Spanish Example | Spanish Example Translation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Anxiety | She feels anxiety before important exams. | Ansiedad | Ella siente ansiedad antes de exámenes importantes. | She feels anxiety before important exams. |
Depression | Depression can cause sadness and loss of interest in activities. | Depresión | La depresión puede causar tristeza y pérdida de interés. | Depression can cause sadness and loss of interest. |
Insomnia | Insomnia makes it hard to fall asleep at night. | Insomnio | El insomnio dificulta dormir por la noche. | Insomnia makes it hard to sleep at night. |
Bipolar disorder | Bipolar disorder involves mood swings between highs and lows. | Trastorno bipolar | El trastorno bipolar implica cambios de humor entre euforia y tristeza. | Bipolar disorder involves mood swings between highs and lows. |
PTSD | PTSD can occur after a traumatic event. | Trastorno de estrés postraumático | El trastorno de estrés postraumático puede ocurrir tras un evento traumático. | PTSD can occur after a traumatic event. |
Summary
This page has introduced you to common English names for illnesses, including infectious diseases, chronic conditions, everyday ailments, injuries, and mental health terms. Use these words to describe symptoms, ask for help, and talk about health in English.
Fill in the blank: Be careful with that pan; I got a ____ yesterday.
burn
A burn is an injury caused by heat, often from hot objects like pans.
Fill in the blank: ____ means high blood pressure.
Hypertension
Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure; hypotension means low blood pressure.
Fill in the blank: She feels ____ before important exams.
anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of worry or nervousness, especially in stressful situations.
Flashcards (1 of 25)
- English Illness: Cold
- English Example: I have a cold and a runny nose.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025