A saúde e o centro de saúde

Where You Go

O centro de saúde is the neighbourhood public clinic — the first stop for anything that is not urgent. When it IS urgent, you go to as urgências (A&E — always plural). A consulta is the appointment: marcar uma consulta is how you book one.

I have an appointment at three.
Tenho uma consulta às três.

What They Give You

wordmeaning
o medicamentothe medicine
o comprimidothe tablet, the pill
a pílulathe Pill (contraceptive)
a pastilhathe lozenge; pastilha elástica = chewing gum
as gotasthe drops — a gota is one drop
a injeçãothe injection
a vacinathe vaccine
o pensothe plaster, the band-aid

A receita is the prescription — and also the recipe; the pharmacy and the kitchen share the word. A alergia is the allergy: tenho alergia a...

The doctor writes the prescription.
O médico escreve a receita.

The Tooth Doctor

O dentista — invariable: o dentista, a dentista.

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