How to Say “Upper Respiratory Infection” in Spanish

infección de las vías respiratorias superiores
/infeɡθjon de las bias ɾespiɾatoɾjas supeɾjoɾes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "upper respiratory infection" is translated into Spanish as infección de las vías respiratorias superiores.

Which one should you use?

There are a few ways to express this concept. The phrase infección de las vías respiratorias superiores uses a prepositional phrase to describe the pathways. A more concise alternative is infección respiratoria superior, which uses respiratoria as an adjective. You may also encounter the formal phrase infección respiratoria alta.

How do you pronounce it?

/infeɡθjon de las bias ɾespiɾatoɾjas supeɾjoɾes/

Did you know?

  • In some Spanish-speaking cultures, catching a cold is often attributed to un aire, a sudden draft of cold air, rather than just a virus.
  • The word infección is a direct descendant of the Latin word 'inficere', which meant 'to stain' or 'to corrupt'.
  • In Spanish, the word vías is used for both medical 'airways' and the physical 'tracks' of a railway system.

Examples in context

  • Hola, ¿cómo estás? Tengo una infección de las vías respiratorias superiores y no me siento bien.
    Hi, how are you? I have an upper respiratory infection, and I'm not feeling well.
  • Me duele la garganta y tengo secreción nasal. Creo que tengo un resfriado común.
    My throat hurts, and I have a runny nose. I think I have a common cold (upper respiratory infection).
  • El médico confirmó una infección de las vías respiratorias superiores.
    The doctor confirmed an upper respiratory infection.
  • Tengo los síntomas de una infección de las vías respiratorias superiores.
    I have the symptoms of an upper respiratory infection.
  • Esa infección de las vías respiratorias superiores es muy común en invierno.
    That upper respiratory infection is very common in winter.

Example conversation

Mateo is explaining to Elena why he is staying home from work.

  1. Elena

    ¿Cómo te sientes hoy, Mateo?
    How are you feeling today, Mateo?
  2. Mateo

    No me siento bien, tengo una infección de las vías respiratorias superiores.
    I don't feel well, I have an upper respiratory infection.
  3. Elena

    Siento mucho que estés enfermo.
    I am very sorry that you are sick.
  4. Mateo

    Gracias, Elena, necesito descansar mucho.
    Thanks, Elena, I need to rest a lot.

Sources

  • IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
  • Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, infección, las, CC BY-SA 4.0.
⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏
Jayden Sidney
Jayden SidneyHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Scroll to Top