Talking About Viruses in Spanish

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 Check out our many free lessons covering Covid and Flu.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!Take the Quiz to this lesson! Reinforce what you learned, download the PDF, and get a discount on your membership!Common Viral Illnesses1:26el virus respiratorio sincitial el virus respiratorio sincicial (alternative, not in audio)RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, el CovidCovidla influenzainfluenzala gripe / la gripaa bad cold, or fluun resfriadoa coldTo catch a virus2:58DARMe 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 SymptomsPEGARMe pegó la influenza. I got the flu.In this example, PEGAR is also used as a reverse construction verb, just like DAR aboveCONTAGIARSE DEMe contagié de gripe. Me contagié de influenza. I got the flu.Challenge Interpretation5:58A 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 hijamy poor little daughterla guarderíadaycareel virus respiratorio sincitialRSV, respiratory sincitial virus Internaron a mi abuela porque se contagió de Covid. They admitted my grandmother because she got Covid.internarto admit To transmit a virus8:37To 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.PEGARMi 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 Results10:25Di 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 Contagious12:08Ser contagioso / contagiosa / contagioseto 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. Spanish Grammar members, see: Subj06 Disbelief Denial – Uncertainty