"How I can describe the symptoms when I get a cold. Should I say one plug of phlegm or a mouthful of phlegm? And which one is correct: 'runny nose' or 'running nose'? When I feel pain in my throat, I say 'sore throat', but when I feel itchy in my throat, what should I say?"
Isabel
As soon as the summer comes to an end, it seems that everyone comes down with a cough or a cold.
If you become ill, do you know how to describe your symptoms to a doctor or pharmacist?
Some common expressions for describing a cold include "to be full of cold" and, if you have a blocked nose, "to be bunged up":
I'm sorry, I can't come to the party tonight, I'm full of cold.
收听与下载I think I feel a cold coming on - I've got a sore throat and am really bunged up.
In this week's Question and Answer of the Week, Rosie gives Helen some advice on describing the symptoms of a cold, as well as a few pointers on politeness when it comes to blowing your nose!
If you have a question you'd like us to answer, just send it to questions.chinaelt@bbc.co.uk
