A Persistent Cough and Fever
IntermediateHealth
A patient visits a neighborhood clinic in Shanghai to describe symptoms of a lingering cough and fever to a doctor.
L
LinZ
ZhangL
医生您好，我最近有点不舒服，想请您帮我看一下。
yīshēng nín hǎo, wǒ zuìjìn yǒudiǎn bù shūfu, xiǎng qǐng nín bāng wǒ kàn yíxià.
Hello doctor, I haven't been feeling well lately, and I'd like you to take a look at me.
Z
别担心，请坐。你哪儿不舒服？具体跟我说说你的症状。
bié dānxīn, qǐng zuò. nǐ nǎr bù shūfu? jùtǐ gēn wǒ shuōshuo nǐ de zhèngzhuàng.
Don't worry, please have a seat. Where do you feel unwell? Tell me your symptoms in detail.
L
我咳嗽已经一个星期了，晚上咳得特别厉害，而且还一直发烧。
wǒ késou yǐjīng yí ge xīngqī le, wǎnshang ké de tèbié lìhai, érqiě hái yìzhí fāshāo.
I've been coughing for a week already, and it's especially bad at night; on top of that, I keep having a fever.
Z
你量过体温吗？大概多少度？
nǐ liáng guo tǐwēn ma? dàgài duōshao dù?
Have you measured your temperature? About how many degrees is it?
L
昨天晚上量了一下，三十八度五，整个人一点力气都没有。
zuótiān wǎnshang liáng le yíxià, sānshíbā dù wǔ, zhěng ge rén yìdiǎn lìqi dōu méiyǒu.
I measured it last night, it was 38.5 degrees, and I don't have any energy at all.
Z
咳嗽的时候有痰吗？嗓子疼不疼？
késou de shíhou yǒu tán ma? sǎngzi téng bu téng?
When you cough, is there phlegm? Does your throat hurt?
L
有一点黄痰，嗓子也有点疼，连说话都不太舒服。
yǒu yìdiǎn huáng tán, sǎngzi yě yǒudiǎn téng, lián shuōhuà dōu bú tài shūfu.
There's a bit of yellow phlegm, my throat also hurts a little, and even talking is uncomfortable.
Z
我先用听诊器听一下你的肺，你把衣服稍微撩起来一点。
wǒ xiān yòng tīngzhěnqì tīng yíxià nǐ de fèi, nǐ bǎ yīfu shāowēi liāo qǐlái yìdiǎn.
First I'll use the stethoscope to listen to your lungs; please lift up your clothes a little.
L
好的。医生，我这是感冒还是肺炎啊？我有点担心。
hǎo de. yīshēng, wǒ zhè shì gǎnmào háishì fèiyán a? wǒ yǒudiǎn dānxīn.
Okay. Doctor, is this a cold or pneumonia? I'm a little worried.
Z
从症状来看应该是普通的呼吸道感染，不过为了保险，我建议你去拍个胸片。
cóng zhèngzhuàng lái kàn yīnggāi shì pǔtōng de hūxīdào gǎnrǎn, búguò wèile bǎoxiǎn, wǒ jiànyì nǐ qù pāi ge xiōngpiàn.
Judging from the symptoms it should be a common respiratory infection, but to be safe, I suggest you go get a chest X-ray.
L
好，那我先去拍片子。这几天我需要注意点什么吗？
hǎo, nà wǒ xiān qù pāi piànzi. zhè jǐ tiān wǒ xūyào zhùyì diǎn shénme ma?
Okay, then I'll go get the X-ray first. Is there anything I should pay attention to these next few days?
Z
多喝热水，好好休息，别熬夜。要是烧得更高，一定要及时过来复诊。
duō hē rè shuǐ, hǎohǎo xiūxi, bié áoyè. yàoshi shāo de gèng gāo, yídìng yào jíshí guòlái fùzhěn.
Drink plenty of hot water, rest well, and don't stay up late. If the fever gets higher, be sure to come back for a follow-up promptly.