Kevin, the hero of our soap opera, Podcast People, fells very unwell. He has a headache and a fever (or high temperature). He has vomiting and diarrhoea. He telephones his doctor’s surgery and asks for an appointment. The receptionist tells him that the doctor can see him at 11.30. Kevin’s girlfriend Joanne drives Kevin to the surgery. The doctor asks Kevin about his symptoms and when he started to feel sick. He explains that Kevin needs to take an antibiotic, that he must stay in bed until his temperature has returned to normal, and that he must drink plenty of fluids. The doctor writes out a prescription which lists the medicines that Kevin needs to take. Joanne drives Kevin home, and then takes the prescription to the chemists. The pharmacist at the chemists finds the medicines that Kevin needs and gives them to Joanne. Kevin takes the medicines as directed – one 5 ml spoonful three times daily, after food. Happily, within two days he feels much better and is able to go back to work.

　　Note: ill, unwell, sick – these words have very similar meanings, though “ill” is generally more serious than “unwell” or “sick”.