Words and Their Stories: Medical Expressions30 January 2011Now, the VOA Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES.Many professions have their own words and expressions. This is true for the medical profession. Doctors use many technical terms that most people do not understand. But there are also expressions we use every day to tell about a person’s health. Let me explain.Last month, I was not feeling well. I wasunder the weather.I thought I hadcaught acold. I had arunny nose,itchy eyes, a sore throat and a cough. I felt tired andrun down.I was in poor condition because I had not been getting enough rest.My body hurt all over. I also had severe head pains -- a realsplitting headache.And I wasrunning a fever. My body temperature was higher than normal.At one point, Iblacked out. That’s right, I wasout cold. I lost consciousness and my friend had tobring me around. He used cold water on my face to restore my consciousness.I grew concerned that I mighttake a turn for the worse.I did not want to become sicker because then surely I would beat death’s door.My friend took me to the doctor. I told the doctor I thought I hadcome down with a cold.When the doctor saw me, she immediately wanted torun some tests. She said that medical tests would help her discover why I was sick. The doctor also asked when I had my lastphysical. I do not get yearlycheck-ups. But I probably should get a medical exam by a doctor every year.Then the nursedrew my blood. She used a needle to take a small amount of blood from my arm. She sent it to a laboratory for tests. The nurse alsotook my temperature.She used a thermometer to measure my body temperature.The doctor told me I had influenza, orthe flu.But she told me I would recover soon. She said I wasover the worstof the disease. She told me to rest at home and to stay away from other people because the flu can spread. It iscontagious.Thankfully, I did not have togo under the knife.I did not need an operation. Instead, I didjust what the doctor ordered. I went home and did exactly what was needed to become healthy again. Soon, I wason the mend.I waspulling throughand recovering from my sickness.Now, I amback on my feet.I am physically healthy again. Even better, the doctor has given me aclean bill of health.She says that I am one-hundred percent cured. I am back to normal and I feel great. In fact, Ifeel on top of the world. My friends say I nowlook like the picture of health.(MUSIC)This VOA Special English program, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES, was written by Jill Moss. I’m Faith Lapidus.