Swahili readings / Beginner 2 / Health & The Body

Buying Medicine at the Pharmacy

Kununua Dawa Kwenye Duka la Dawa

Amina anaamka asubuhi akiwa na maumivu ya kichwa na kikohozi chepesi. Anaamua kwenda kwenye duka la dawa karibu na sokoni. Duka lina rafu ndefu, taa angavu, na bango linaloonyesha bei. Amina anatembea polepole, anavuta pumzi kwa makini, na anajaribu kutulia. Anataka dawa ya kupunguza maumivu, na pia dawa ya kikohozi. Anaogopa kutumia dawa nyingi, kwa hiyo anauliza ushauri kutoka kwa mfamasia. Mfamasia ni mwanamke mchangamfu, anavaa koti jeupe na beji yenye jina. Anamsalimia Amina kwa heshima, kisha anasikiliza kwa makini dalili zake. Baada ya kueleza, Amina anasema ana homa kidogo, hana mzio wa dawa, na anakunywa maji mengi. Mfamasia anapendekeza vidonge vya maumivu vilivyo na paracetamol, na syrup ya kikohozi kwa kutumia kijiko maalumu. Anamweleza namna ya kunywa dawa, mara ngapi kwa siku, na kwa muda gani. Anaonya asizidishe kipimo, na amsake daktari kama homa itaendelea. Amina ananunua pia barakoa na tembe za vitamini ili kuimarisha mwili. Anapofika kwenye kaunta, analipa kwa kadi, na anapokea risiti pamoja na kijikaratasi chenye maelekezo. Anashukuru, anatabasamu, kisha anaondoka taratibu kwenda nyumbani. Anahisi matumaini, anapanga kupumzika, na kuanza dawa mara moja. Anakumbuka kula chakula chepesi kabla ya kumeza vidonge, na kuweka alarm kwenye simu yake.

English Translation

Amina wakes up in the morning with a headache and a mild cough. She decides to go to the pharmacy near the market. The shop has tall shelves, bright lights, and a sign that shows prices. Amina walks slowly, breathes in carefully, and tries to stay calm. She wants medicine to reduce pain, and also cough medicine. She is afraid to use many medicines, so she asks for advice from the pharmacist. The pharmacist is a cheerful woman, wearing a white coat and a badge with a name. She greets Amina politely, then listens carefully to her symptoms. After explaining, Amina says she has a slight fever, has no drug allergies, and drinks plenty of water. The pharmacist recommends pain tablets with paracetamol, and a cough syrup using a special spoon. She explains how to take the medicine, how many times a day, and for how long. She warns her not to exceed the dose, and to seek a doctor if the fever continues. Amina also buys a mask and vitamin tablets to strengthen the body. At the counter, she pays by card, and receives a receipt together with a small paper with instructions. She thanks her, smiles, then leaves slowly for home. She feels hopeful, plans to rest, and to start the medicine right away. She remembers to eat light food before swallowing the tablets, and to set an alarm on her phone.