In this lesson, we practice expressing the following in Spanish:
- Getting a viral illness
- Passing a viral illness to someone else
- A positive test result
- Being contagious
Many thanks to my Spanish teachers, Gloria from Mexico and Elizabet from Guatemala, for their help on this lesson! >> Take classes with Gloria and Elizabet,
Members! Take the Quiz, download the PDF, and ask questions for this lesson in our Spanish for Infections Course.
Common Viral Illnesses
1:26el virus respiratorio sincitial
el virus respiratorio sincicial (alternative, not in audio)
RSV, respiratory syncytial virus,
el Covid
Covid
la influenza
influenza
la gripe / la gripa
a bad cold, or flu
un resfriado
a cold
To catch a virus
2:58DAR
Me dio influenza.
Mi dio gripa.
I got the flu.
This is an example of using DAR as a reverse construction verb to express getting an illness or symptoms. See our free lesson covering this use of the verb DAR: DAR to Express Symptoms
PEGAR
Me pegó la influenza.
I got the flu.
In this example, PEGAR is also used as a reverse construction verb, just like DAR above
CONTAGIARSE DE
Me contagié de gripe.
Me contagié de influenza.
I got the flu.
Challenge Interpretation
5:58A la pobrecita de mi hija, le pegó el virus respiratorio sincitial en la guardería.
My poor little daughter got the respiratory syncytial virus at daycare.
la pobrecita de mi hija
my poor little daughter
la guardería
daycare
el virus respiratorio sincitial
RSV, respiratory sincitial virus
Internaron a mi abuela porque se contagió de Covid.
They admitted my grandmother because she got Covid.
internar
to admit
To transmit a virus
8:37To transmit a virus using PEGAR y CONTAGIAR to express transmitting a virus from one person to another.
Surprisingly, most Spanish speakers do NOT use the verb DAR in this way. DAR can be used to say you caught a virus (Me dio gripe.) but not that you transmitted a virus.
PEGAR
Mi hermano me pegó la influenza.
My brother gave me the flu.
CONTAGIAR (DE)
Mi hermano le contagió el Covid a mi abuela.
Mi hermano le contagió de Covid a mi abuela.
My brother gave my grandmother Covid.
Test Results
10:25Di positivo por / en / a la / de / para influenza.
I tested positive for influenza.
Positive refers to EL RESULTADO. It is like saying,
"I got a positive result." > “Di (un resultado) positivo.
You will also hear, "Di positivo en la prueba de.... "
Being Contagious
12:08Ser contagioso / contagiosa / contagiose
to be contagious
Todavía soy contagiosa.
I am still contagious. (woman)
No creo que sigas siendo contagiosa.
I do not think you are still contagious.
Note the use of the SUBJUNCTIVE following a statement of doubt. Learn more about this use of this subjunctive: Quiz #2 – The Subjunctive in Noun Clauses.
Related Lessons
- Flu Symptoms in Spanish
- Runny Nose in Spanish
- Symptoms of COVID-19 in Spanish
- Symptoms of the Ears, Nose, Throat, and Chest in Spanish
Member? Complete the Upper Respiratory Infections module in our Spanish for Infections course.
great podcast as always ! very timely! how would you say.. you are positive for covid? you are contagious for 10 days?
Hola, Laila.
¡Gracias por el comentario!
You are positive for Covid.
See also: Detección – Testing for COVID19 in Spanish
You will be contagious for 10 days.
And since we do not know with certainty how long they will be contagious, I may say:
You may remain contagious for up to 10 days after the onset of symptoms.
See also: FL03 Flu Q and A – Symptoms and Transmission
Espero que te resulte útil mi respuesta. Gracias de nuevo por tu comentario, amiga.
Un abrazo,
Molly