Learning a new language opens up a world of opportunities, and if you’re planning to visit or live in Latvia, knowing some medical and health-related vocabulary can be incredibly helpful. Whether you need to visit a doctor, go to the pharmacy, or simply want to discuss health topics with Latvian speakers, these words and phrases will be essential.

Ārsts – Doctor
A medical professional licensed to practice medicine and treat illnesses or injuries.
Kur atrodas tuvākais ārsts?

Slimnīca – Hospital
A health care institution providing patient treatment with specialized staff and equipment.
Mana māsa strādā slimnīcā kā medmāsa.

Aptieka – Pharmacy
A store where medicinal drugs are dispensed and sold, and various health-related items are available.
Vai tu vari man pateikt, kur atrodas aptieka?

Apspriede – Consultation
A meeting with an expert, such as a medical doctor, for diagnosis or treatment advice.
Man rīt ir apspriede pie ārsta.

Recepte – Prescription
An instruction from a medical practitioner that authorizes a patient to be issued with a medicine or treatment.
Ārsts man izrakstīja recepti pret klepu.

Medicīna – Medicine
The science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
Viņš ir studējis medicīnu jau piecus gadus.

Diagnoze – Diagnosis
The identification of the nature and cause of an illness.
Diagnoze bija laringīts.

Simptoms – Symptom
A physical or mental feature that indicates a condition or disease.
Galvassāpes ir viens no iespējamiem simptomiem.

Imūnsistēma – Immune system
The body’s defense system against infectious organisms and other invaders.
Veselīgs dzīvesveids stiprina imūnsistēmu.

Vakcīna – Vaccine
A substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases.
Vai esat saņēmuši jaunāko gripas vakcīnu?

Ķirurģija – Surgery
Medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body for reasons of diagnosis or removal of diseased tissue or repair of a malfunctioning organ.
Viņš atgūstas pēc ķirurģijas.

Pacients – Patient
A person who is under medical care or treatment.
Pacients gaida rindā, lai redzētu ārstu.

Terapija – Therapy
Treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder.
Viņš sāk fizioterapiju pēc savainojuma.

Sāpes – Pain
Highly unpleasant physical sensation caused by illness or injury.
Man ir stipras sāpes mugurā.

Infekcija – Infection
The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are not normally present within the body.
Ārsts teica, ka tā ir bakteriāla infekcija.

Equipped with this vocabulary, you can more confidently navigate healthcare situations in Latvia. Remember that communication is key to receiving the right care, so don’t hesitate to practice and use these terms when the situation calls for it. Good luck with your Latvian language learning journey!