English for PTA
INSECT-BORNE DISEASES
Seite 1/1 5 Minuten
One year into lockdown has shown that people are more likely to explore the countryside near where they live, due to travel restrictions. Although the most current data for Europe is from December 2020, there are no definitive statistics to show if there has been an increase in roundworm infections or Lyme disease in the previous twelve months. However, the danger still exists! Especially in the case of wanderers who are new to outdoor activities. Old hands will of course be prepared when it comes to protection from such pests by wearing suitable clothing, and using specialized insect repellent. The place to start is the pharmacy.
PTA: Guten Morgen. Was kann ich für Sie tun?
Female customer: Do you speak English?
Yes, I do. How may I help you?
Now that both my husband and I have been fully vaccinated against Corona, we have decided to visit some friends in the Black Forest. They are also vaccinated, by the way.
That’s good. Would I be correct in assuming that you and your husband are going to be hiking in the forest?
Yes, that’s why I’m here! To get some protection against ticks.
We have this excellent insect-repellent spray here. It has been especially developed to protect the user from ticks for up to eight hours. It has excellent skin tolerance and contains a synthetic active ingredient that disrupts the tick’s sense of smell. It also contains a natural active ingredient that is made from an extract of an Australian eucalyptus tree. This is what gives it the pleasant lemony smell.
Wonderful! Yes, it does smell quite pleasant. Is there anything else we should be careful of?
Yes. You see ticks are usually found in the undergrowth in forests, and also on grasses. They are found at heights between 20 and 70 cm from the ground up, so it is sensible to wear long trousers. Ideal would be ones that you can put into your hiking boots, or that can be closed at the bottom with the help of a drawstring.
I have those already! Good.
You should also make it a habit of checking your body for any ticks after your hike. If you do find a tick on your body, this special tick tongs will help you to safely remove it. Personally, I always have one with me when I go walking as you never know where ticks might be hiding! And the etui keeps it safe.
Good, I’ll take that too. Oh, and a small spray bottle of disinfectant, please.
Here you are.
Thank you.
Have a nice time in the Black Forest.
Thank you. Goodbye.
Bye, bye.
You can find this article on page 118 in DIE PTA IN DER APOTHEKE 06/2021.
Catherine Croghan, Lecturer in English and native speaker
Vocabulary
| insect-borne diseases | durch Insekten übertragene Krankheiten |
|---|---|
| intermediate | zwischen |
| lice | Läuse |
| fleas | Flöhe |
| ticks | Zecken |
| mites | Milben |
| travel restrictions | Reisebeschränkungen |
| roundworm | Fadenwurm |
| Lyme disease | Borreliose |
| old hands | alte Hasen |
| pests | Plagegeister |
| insect repellent | Insektenschutzmittel |
| vaccinated | geimpft, schutzgeimpft |
| Would I be correct in assuming that… | Gehe ich recht in der Annahme, dass…? |
| skin tolerance | Hautverträglichkeit |
| active ingredient | Wirkstoff |
| undergrowth | Gestrüpp, Unterholz |
| sensible | vernünftig |
| drawstring | Tunnelzug |
| tick tongs | Zeckenzange |