Inasmuch as the word rendered fever is in the plural, some understand this to refer to recurring attacks of fever (see New English Bible “recurrent bouts of fever”; Jerusalem Bible “feverish attacks”). Most translations merely indicate that he was sick with fever and dysentery, without indicating the possibility that there were intermittent attacks of fever. Since fever and dysentery are of universal occurrence, there is no difficulty finding appropriate terms. However, in many languages one cannot say that a person was sick with fever. The corresponding receptor-language equivalent may be “fever had grabbed him,” “he was sick because of fever,” or even “fever had made him sick.”

Paul went into his room is literally “to whom Paul went in,” which is rendered in most translations as “Paul visited him.” If it is necessary to specify the place where Paul placed his hands, it may be appropriate to say “he placed his hands on his head.” Healed him may be rendered as “caused him to be well,” “caused the disease to disappear,” or “caused the fever and dysentery to leave him.” It is almost incredible how many different expressions there are for becoming sick and for being healed.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .