How can I not get sick from my flatmate being ill (again!)

January 4, 2007 12:17 PM

How can I not get sick from my flatmate being ill (again!)

Just a quick one; every time my flatmate gets sick I catch whatever she has. A few months ago we both had viral meningitis at the same time (yeah, fun.) Anyway, she's had a disgustingly painful-sounding cough in the last few days, and now a cold, and the last thing I want to do is get ill again right now.
As a background, I get a good amount of exercise, water, sleep (well, I try), take vitamin supplements, eat fruit, eat well in general, get fresh air.... and dont kiss my flatmate or anything. :P
I know it might be too late now, given I've been in the same room as her, all evening, with the heating on and no windows open, and she is coughing openly into the room, but any instant preventative suggestions would be fab!

posted by angryjellybean to Health & Fitness (19 answers total)

Don't touch your face, and wash your hands often.
posted by donajo at 12:20 PM on January 4, 2007

If you suspect the flu I suggest getting some Oscillococcinum. I swear by the stuff.

For colds I take Airborne if I fear getting sick although there seems to be some controversy over its effectiveness.

And of course, continue to drink lots of water and sleep as much as possible.
posted by mezzanayne at 12:25 PM on January 4, 2007

Definitely don't touch your face (especially your eyes) without washing your hands.

To help keep my roommate from getting my own hideous cold last week, I regularly went over the shared surfaces where my hands had touched (bathroom and kitchen faucets, counters, etc.) with a couple of Clorox wipes.
posted by scody at 12:29 PM on January 4, 2007

Be obsessive about washing your hands and use saline nose spray every hour or so while home. Moist nasal passages mean you'll catch more bacteria before it infiltrates your system. (I do this on long haul flights - always got sick before I started spraying.)
posted by meerkatty at 12:30 PM on January 4, 2007

Aside from what you're already doing, Lysol doorknobs and common areas (counters, handles, railings etc). You can also use Purell for yourself, keep your hands away from your mouth and face... and ask her to cover her mouth.
posted by jerseygirl at 12:37 PM on January 4, 2007

All of the above plus Airborne.
posted by puddinghead at 12:54 PM on January 4, 2007

I know the jury is out on zinc, but I'll be damned if it doesn't work. During the past several years when colds have been going around with my family and friends, it's derailed my onset symptoms and has only failed me once. Either it works or I have a strong immune system.
posted by rolypolyman at 1:34 PM on January 4, 2007

I'm going to back rolypolyman on his zinc suggestion. Coldeez has never done me wrong. Even when I already am a little bit sick, it helps.
posted by spec80 at 1:47 PM on January 4, 2007

Add me to the list of those recommending Airborne - stuff works miracles.

I've found the most effective way is to do it morning and night if I'm around sick people, and if I feel that I'm getting sick myself I do one every three hours, except while I'm asleep.

On that note, sleep. Eight hours at least every night and it's much harder to get sick.
posted by awesomebrad at 2:06 PM on January 4, 2007

Sickness is inevitable. If your flatmate doesn't give it to you, someone else probably will. Unless you're old or have AIDS, I'm sure that your immune system can take it. Just do your best to stay healthy, and if you do get sick, you'll get over it and your immune system will be better for it.
posted by Afroblanco at 2:24 PM on January 4, 2007

Airborne is a placebo. Get lots of rest, and eat well to keep your immune system healthy. Wash your hands several times a day.
posted by Dave Faris at 4:09 PM on January 4, 2007

I agree with all that's been said about washing a lot: counters, door knobs, hands...everything. But as long as we're talking supplements, I'd suggest the Source Naturals Wellness Formula. I'm not sure where you live, but places like Whole Foods or local natural foods coops have it. I skeptically bought it in a desperate circumstance, and it worked wonders. Like Airbone you take it as a preventative or as soon as you feel a cold coming on, and it'll knock it all right out of you. It's great.

/end infomercial
posted by jk252b at 5:53 PM on January 4, 2007

Just wash, keep away and don't share food, touch your face etc. Think of the bacteria as being like wet paint or grease, and keep it off you as best you can.
posted by tomble at 11:22 PM on January 4, 2007

Wash your hands, keep your distance, stay warm, and don't rely on anecdotal evidence.
posted by Mercaptan at 11:47 PM on January 4, 2007

Don't forget to Lysol (or Clorox Wipe or whatever) the telephone. People forget how close their mouths are to that thing.
posted by IndigoRain at 12:13 AM on January 5, 2007

Zinc lozenges work like a charm for me. I consider them to be a miracle product. Take a couple a day as a preventative measure. Gargle salt water and snort a teaspoonful a couple times a day.
posted by wsg at 12:22 AM on January 5, 2007

Be happy:

Happy people are three times less likely to get a cold, according to researchers who squirted cold virus up the noses of volunteers.
posted by martinrebas at 2:11 AM on January 5, 2007

when i have a cold, to mimimize the spread, i try to cough into my sweatshirt neck instead of into my hands. that is, i grab the shirt just above my sternum, pull it away from my body, dip my chin into the gaping neck, and cough down against my chest.
i imagine this cuts down on the viral spray, and it definitely keeps my hands, and therefore the stuff in my apartment, less virusy. maybe your flatmate could try that?
posted by twistofrhyme at 2:05 PM on January 5, 2007

twistofrhyme has it right, pretty much.. If we all sneezed and coughed into our sleeves we'd spread fewer colds. Previously discussed here.
posted by wsg at 2:52 AM on January 6, 2007