Describing Cold Symptoms to a Pharmacist
A customer describes their cold symptoms (e.g., sore throat, runny nose, cough) and asks the pharmacist for advice on what over-the-counter medication to take.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
sore throat
A painful feeling in your throat, often from a cold. Use it to describe when your throat hurts, like 'I have a sore throat.'
runny nose
When liquid comes out of your nose continuously. Common cold symptom; say 'I have a runny nose' to tell a doctor.
cough
A sudden noisy expulsion of air from the lungs, often to clear the throat. Verb or noun: 'I'm coughing a lot' or 'I have a cough.'
fever
A high body temperature, often a sign of illness. Say 'I don't have a fever' to report your condition to a pharmacist.
lozenge
A small, sweet tablet that dissolves in the mouth to soothe a sore throat. Ask for it in a pharmacy: 'Do you have lozenges?'
over-the-counter
Medicines you can buy without a doctor's prescription. Abbreviated as OTC; useful for asking 'Is this over-the-counter?'
non-drowsy
Not causing sleepiness. Important for daytime medicine; say 'I need a non-drowsy formula' if you have to work.
dosage
The amount of medicine to take and how often. Always check 'dosage instructions' on the package for safety.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Excuse me, I'm not feeling well and I think I'm coming down with a cold. Could you recommend something?
This polite way to start asking for help in a pharmacy. 'Coming down with' means starting to get an illness. Use it to describe feeling unwell and seek advice.
What kind of symptoms are you experiencing?
A question to ask for details about someone's health issues. 'Symptoms' means signs of illness. Pharmacists use this to understand the problem better.
Well, I have a really sore throat, a runny nose, and I've started coughing a bit. No fever yet, thankfully.
Describes multiple symptoms clearly. Use 'and' to list them; 'thankfully' shows relief. Great for explaining your condition to a doctor or pharmacist.
For the sore throat, a lozenge or throat spray can help. For combined symptoms, I'd suggest something like this over-the-counter cold and flu medicine.
Gives recommendations with reasons. 'I'd suggest' is a polite way to recommend. Useful for service roles or when advising on remedies.
Is that for daytime use? I still need to be able to work.
Asks about suitability for daily activities. Shows concern for side effects. Use this when choosing medicine that won't affect your routine.
Yes, this one is a non-drowsy formula, so it won't make you sleepy. It targets all those symptoms you mentioned.
Explains medicine benefits using 'so' for cause-effect. 'Targets' means addresses directly. Helpful for reassuring customers about product features.
Just make sure to follow the dosage instructions on the box.
Advises safety with imperative 'make sure to.' Important for all medicine talks; emphasizes reading labels to avoid mistakes.
If your symptoms worsen or don't improve in a few days, it's best to see a doctor.
Gives conditional advice with 'if.' 'Worsen' means get worse. Use this to warn when professional help is needed, not just self-medication.