fever/temperature – Begin with both hands formed into fists with the index fingers held straight. Hold the left hand in front of the chest with the index finger pointing up. Place the right fist behind the left fist with the right index finger pointing left. The index fingers cross to form the lowercase letter T. Then move the right index finger up the back of the left index finger to finally form the uppercase letter T.
head cold – Begin with the right hand formed into the letter X of the sign language alphabet. Place the right index finger on the bridge of the nose. Move the right index finger down the nose and over the lips to the chin. Repeat motion with right index finger.
headache – Begin with both hands formed into fists with the index fingers held straight. Hold the hands at forehead level on either side of the head. Twist the index fingers in opposite directions twice.
heart attack – Begin with the fingers of the right hand spread apart with the right middle finger bent down. Tap the right middle finger on the center of the chest with the palm of the right hand facing the body. Then raise the left hand to chest level with the palm facing toward the body. Form the right hand into a fist. Pound the right fist onto the left palm.
hurt/pain - Begin with both hands formed into fists with the index fingers held straight. Hold the hands at chest level on either side of the body. Twist the index fingers in opposite directions twice.
ill/sick – Begin with the fingers of both hands spread open and the middle fingers bent down. Touch the right index finger to the forehead and the left index finger to the stomach. Twist both hands clockwise.
infection – Begin with the right hand formed into the letter I of the sign language alphabet at chest level. Then shake the right hand from side to side.
itch – Begin with the left arm held in front of the chest. Then mime scratching the left wrist with the right hand.
nurse – Begin with the right hand formed into the letter N of the sign language alphabet. Hold the left hand to waist level with the palm facing up. Then tap the right index and middle fingers of the right hand on the left wrist twice.
pill – Begin by forming the right hand into the letter Q of the sign language alphabet and then curling the thumb and index finger toward the palm. Hold the right hand in front of the mouth. Then move the right hand toward the mouth while opening the thumb and index finger to mimic placing a pill in the mouth.
pregnant – Begin with the hands held at waist level on either side of the body with the fingers of the hands spread open. Then move the hands forward and around to meet in front of the stomach in a motion that forms the shape of a pregnant belly.
sneeze – Begin with the right hand in a fist with the index finger pointed straight. Place the right index finger under the nose and move the head down to mimic a sneeze.
stroke – First tap the right side of the forehead with the right index finger. Then raise the left hand to chin level with the palm facing down while forming the right hand into a fist and punching the left palm with the right fist.
vomit – Begin with the mouth open. Hold the right hand in front of the face with the fingers spread open and the right thumb pointing into the mouth. Then move the right hand from the mouth down to the waste to mimic throwing up.
x-ray – Finger spell the word X-R-A-Y using the sign language alphabet.
The accompanying printable vocabulary sheet of medical terms in American Sign Language is available for download at Medical Terms ASL Vocabulary Sheet.
For free online ASL dictionaries demonstrating the signs described above through photographs and videos, please consult:
ASL Pro
Signing Savvy
Lifeprint ASLU