Ho la febbre.

I have a fever.

Pronunciation

FEB-bre — double 'b', short and crisp. The 'e' in 'febbre' is open.

When to use it

The most common phrase when describing illness. Say it at the doctor's, to a pharmacist, or when calling in sick to work.

What it means

'Ho la febbre' uses 'avere' (to have) with the definite article 'la'. Italians say 'ho la febbre' not 'ho febbre' — the article is obligatory here. In Italy, a fever is typically measured in Celsius: 37°C is normal, 37.5°C is a low fever ('febbricola'), 38°C+ is a fever.

Variations

Ho trentotto di febbre.

I have a fever of thirty-eight degrees.

Specify the exact temperature — Italians always use Celsius

Ho i brividi.

I have chills.

Often accompanies fever — 'brividi' are shivers or chills

Mi sento caldo e stanco.

I feel hot and tired.

Describe associated symptoms

Mini Dialogue

— Come si sente? — Ho la febbre da due giorni. Trentotto e mezzo. — Ha anche tosse o mal di gola? — Sì, ho anche un po' di tosse. — Le prescrivo qualcosa. Torni se la febbre non scende.

— How do you feel? — I have had a fever for two days. Thirty-eight point five. — Do you also have a cough or sore throat? — Yes, I also have a bit of a cough. — I will prescribe something. Come back if the fever does not go down.

Cultural Note

In Italy, body temperature is taken rectally for babies, but orally or under the arm for adults. Under-arm readings are about 0.5°C lower than oral. The traditional thermometer was glass and mercury — now digital. Fever above 39.5°C in adults or 38°C in infants should be seen promptly at 'pronto soccorso' (A&E).

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Mi fa male qui.

Sono allergico a questo medicinale.

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