PTE Health & Medicine Vocabulary

Treatment intended to relieve or heal a physical or mental health condition.

“Physical therapy helped the patient regain full movement after the operation.”

Collocations: physical therapy, undergo therapy

The act of stopping something harmful, such as a disease, from happening.

“Many experts argue that disease prevention is far more cost-effective than treatment.”

Collocations: disease prevention, prevention strategy

The identification of an illness or problem by examining its signs and symptoms.

“An early diagnosis greatly increases the chances of successful treatment for many cancers.”

Collocations: early diagnosis, accurate diagnosis

The act of giving someone a vaccine to protect them against a particular disease.

“Widespread vaccination has dramatically reduced the incidence of many childhood diseases.”

Collocations: mass vaccination, vaccination programme

A serious physical injury, or a deeply distressing emotional experience.

“Survivors of natural disasters often suffer lasting psychological trauma for many years.”

Collocations: emotional trauma, suffer trauma

Extreme physical or mental tiredness resulting from exertion or illness.

“Chronic fatigue can significantly reduce a person's ability to concentrate and work effectively.”

Collocations: chronic fatigue, mental fatigue

A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something uncertain.

“Rising levels of anxiety among students have prompted universities to expand counselling services.”

Collocations: severe anxiety, anxiety disorder

An illness or condition that disrupts the normal functioning of the body or mind.

“Sleep disorders are increasingly common in societies where people work long, irregular hours.”

Collocations: mental disorder, eating disorder

Relating to cleanliness and the protection of health, especially by preventing dirt and infection.

“Poor sanitary conditions in overcrowded areas can accelerate the spread of infectious diseases.”

Collocations: sanitary conditions, sanitary facilities

The state of being healthy, comfortable, and content in body and mind.

“Regular exercise contributes greatly to both physical and mental well-being.”

Collocations: mental well-being, promote well-being

Describing an illness or problem that lasts for a long time or keeps recurring.

“Chronic conditions such as diabetes require ongoing management throughout a patient's life.”

Collocations: chronic illness, chronic pain

Protected against a particular disease, especially through the body's natural defences.

“A balanced diet helps keep the immune system strong enough to fight off infections.”

Collocations: immune system, immune response

The process of taking in and using food for health and growth.

“Good nutrition in early childhood lays the foundation for lifelong health.”

Collocations: good nutrition, poor nutrition

Involving a lot of sitting and little physical activity.

“A sedentary lifestyle has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and obesity.”

Collocations: sedentary lifestyle, sedentary behaviour

The condition of being very overweight in a way that is harmful to health.

“Rising rates of childhood obesity have become a serious public health concern.”

Collocations: childhood obesity, rising obesity

Describing a disease that can be spread from one person to another through contact.

“Patients with highly contagious infections are often isolated to protect others.”

Collocations: highly contagious, contagious disease

A doctor's prediction of how an illness is likely to develop and end.

“Thanks to early treatment, the patient's long-term prognosis is now considered excellent.”

Collocations: poor prognosis, favourable prognosis

The process of helping someone return to health or normal life after illness or injury.

“After the accident, months of rehabilitation were needed before she could walk again.”

Collocations: physical rehabilitation, rehabilitation programme

A physical or mental sign that indicates the presence of an illness or condition.

“A persistent cough can be an early symptom of a more serious respiratory illness.”

Collocations: common symptom, show symptoms

The practice of keeping clean in order to stay healthy and prevent disease.

“Good personal hygiene, such as regular handwashing, helps to limit the spread of germs.”

Collocations: personal hygiene, good hygiene

A microorganism such as a bacterium or virus that causes disease.

“Vaccines train the body to recognise and destroy a specific pathogen before it causes harm.”

Collocations: harmful pathogen, spread of pathogens

The extent to which something, especially a disease, is widespread within a population.

“The high prevalence of obesity has placed growing pressure on national health services.”

Collocations: high prevalence, prevalence of disease

To make pain, suffering, or a problem less severe.

“Doctors prescribed medication to alleviate the patient's chronic pain.”

Collocations: alleviate pain, alleviate symptoms