Common Symptoms in Spanish

    These are the symptoms patients describe most often in primary care, urgent care, and the emergency department. Knowing the patient-friendly Spanish version of each builds rapport quickly.

    EnglishSpanishAudio
    coughla tos
    feverla fiebre
    chillslos escalofríos
    shortness of breathfalta de aire / dificultad para respirar
    nauseala náusea
    vomitingel vómito
    diarrheala diarrea
    constipationel estreñimiento
    dizzinessel mareo
    fatiguela fatiga / el cansancio
    weaknessla debilidad
    numbnessel entumecimiento
    tinglingel hormigueo
    swellingla hinchazón
    rashel sarpullido / la erupción
    itchingla picazón / la comezón
    palpitationslas palpitaciones
    loss of appetitela falta de apetito

    Using these terms with patients

    • Mareo covers both dizziness and vertigo. Separate them with "¿Siente que todo da vueltas o que se va a desmayar?"
    • "Estoy mareado" uses estar, not ser — a temporary state. Saying "soy mareado" implies a permanent trait.
    • Fatigue is usually "cansancio" in patient speech; "fatiga" can be heard as breathlessness in parts of the Caribbean.

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