How to Care for a Sick Roommate (Without Getting Sick Yourself!)

Submitted by NCC on Mon, 02/13/2012 - 09:37

Have you got a sniffly housemate, but aren’t sure how to care for him or her? Here are some tips for helping a sick friend get better — without catching their germs yourself!

Wash up
The hardest thing about having a sick roommate is figuring out how to avoid getting sick yourself. One easy way to protect yourself is to keep things clean. Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Avoid touching your nose and mouth. Keep a safe distance from your sick friend. This doesn’t mean you need to avoid them, but don’t sit right next them on the couch.

Wash shared linens like sofa throws, hand towels and kitchen towels. Wipe surfaces and doorknobs with antibacterial wipes and avoid sharing a computer. The cleaner you can keep common surfaces, the better chance you will have of not catching their illness.

Stock up
When you are sick, the last thing you want to do is go to the store. One of the nicest things you can do for a sick friend is make sure they have everything they need at their fingertips. Hit the grocery store and stock up on foods that will make them feel better. Keep them hydrated with water, juice and drinks like Gatorade that replenish electrolytes. If they have a cold and can’t taste anything, grab some spicy foods or whip up a batch of tacos. A roommate with the stomach flu might enjoy something simple like saltine crackers, chicken broth or mashed potatoes. And don’t just abandon them with a fridge full of comfort food. Stay home a few nights and cook their favorite meal or at least get dinner in the oven before you go out with friends.

You should also shop for nutritious foods that will help keep you healthy so you can avoid getting sick, too. Staying hydrated is important for flushing toxins out of your system. Try to eat more nutritious meals and load up on foods with antioxidants. Also, increase your intake of vitamin C, zinc and other nutrients that keep your immune system healthy. Multivitamins do a great job, as well.

Ease up
Getting sick is no fun, especially when you share an apartment with roommates. If you’ve got a sick person in your household, you can ease their pain by cutting them some slack. A cold, flu or stomach virus usually lasts a few days to a week at most. Lending a helping hand with household chores will make it easier for your roomie to heal. And the sooner they get better, the quicker they can resume their chores and unload the dishwasher again!

Encourage your friend to stay home from work and to postpone social activities. Offer a ride to the doctor or a trip to the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions. Help your sick roommate stay entertained by propping them up on the sofa with extra pillows and a few magazines and DVDs. Do whatever you can to make them comfortable while they are feeling under the weather.

Don’t forget that being sick can get lonely. Make some time to sit with your friend and chat or simply watch TV. They’ll appreciate the company.

Having a sick roommate can be a handful but if you take it easy and help them heal, you’ll both feel better faster!