Friday, November 8, 2013

Feeling ill?


Catching a Cold
Vocabulary
bulletcure (n,v)- something that makes you well after being sick
bulletliterally (adv)- really, actually, exactly
bulletvirus (n)- very, very small --- that causes sickness
bulletto get rid of (v)- to stop, to throw away
bulletcongestion (n)- stopped up (when your nose is congested you can't breathe)
bulletmiserable (adj)- very terrible feeling
bulletfever (n)- heat in your head and body
bulletremedy- (n) cure, something that makes you well
bulletliquid (n)- wet and runny like water, milk
bulletto get over (v)- to finish
Many people catch a cold in the springtime and/ or fall. It makes us wonder... if scientists can send a man to the moon, why can't they find a cure for the common cold. The answer is easy. There are literally hundreds of kinds cold viruses out there. You never know which one you will get, so there isn't a cure for each one.
When a virus attacks your body, your body works hard to get rid of it. Blood rushes to your nose and brings congestion with it. You feel terrible because you can't breathe well, but your body is actually "eating" the virus. Your temperature rises and you get a fever, but the heat of your body is killing the virus. You also have a runny nose to stop the virus from getting to your cells. You may feel miserable, but actually your wonderful body is doing everything it can to kill the cold.
Different people have different remedies for colds. In the United States and some other countries, for example, people might eat chicken soup to feel better. Some people take hot baths and drink warm liquids. Other people take medicines to stop the fever, congestion, and runny nose.
There is one interesting thing to note- some scientists say taking medicines when you have a cold is actually bad for you. The virus stays in you longer because your body doesn't have a way to fight it and kill it. Bodies can do an amazing job on their own. There is a joke, however, on taking medicine when you have a cold. It goes like this:
If takes about 1 week to get over a cold if you don't take medicine, but only 7 days to get over a cold if you take medicine.
Check Your Understanding
True or False
 
BEGIN HERE: click

Followers

About

Welcome to English at LERNFORUM Chur.  We teach English one to one or in small, personalised groups at every level and for every English language need. Cambridge and Swiss qualified, we're mother-language speaking, and most importantly, have a passion for helping you speak English.

Word of the Month

Holy

(adj): Sacred, divine, blessed.


Holiday: a holy or festive day; a day off, vacation (also sacred)


Expressions: Holy Cow! Literally true in India.

Ex: Holly Mackerel! Delicious, healthy and full of mercury.

Powered by Blogger.
Copyright © English at Lernforum Chur