Enfermos

Enfermos is the plural form of enfermo in Spanish, used to refer to people who are ill or suffering from a disease. In everyday language, los enfermos are contrasted with the healthy and with healthcare professionals. The term can describe individuals seeking medical care as well as those staying home due to illness. While technically synonymous with patients in clinical contexts, enfermos can carry connotations of vulnerability and dependence, and in some social settings it may imply chronic or long-term illness.

The word enfermo derives from the verb enfermar and the related noun enfermedad, and it is used across Spanish-speaking regions with largely similar meaning, though regional nuances exist. The plural enfermos also appears in common expressions and idioms that describe someone as being in a troublesome or intensified state. In slang, alguien es un enfermo can mean someone who is intensely obsessed or who behaves in an extreme or disapproved way.

In public health and sociology, "the sick" is a social category that intersects with medical care, public health policy, and the concept of the sick role—a set of rights and obligations for people who are ill. This framework helps explain how illness affects social participation, work, and access to services.

Stigma and ethics are relevant considerations when using the term enfermos, as labeling individuals as such can carry social stigma or discrimination, potentially affecting employment, housing, or participation in community life. Privacy, consent, and respectful communication are important in care settings.

Enfermos appears in literature, journalism, and media in contexts discussing illness, caregiving, or health systems. The term is neutral in clinical use but can reflect broader cultural attitudes toward illness and disability. In clinical practice, the focus remains on diagnosis, treatment, and patient well-being, regardless of labels.