Learning how to stay healthy when your roommate is sick is an essential skill for anyone sharing a living space, whether you are in a crowded apartment or a small dorm room. Germs can spread quickly in tight quarters, making it necessary to implement best practices for hygiene and isolation immediately. According to the Mayo Clinic, viruses like the common cold, flu, and COVID-19 thrive in shared environments, but consistent sanitization and distance can significantly lower your risk of infection.
Isolate the Sick Person to Prevent Spread
The most important way to prevent the spread of pathogens within your home is to avoid close contact with the ill person. This is especially true if you suspect a highly contagious virus. Pathogens often spread via respiratory droplets emitted when the sick person talks, sneezes, or coughs. These droplets can land in the eyes, nose, or mouth of anyone nearby, leading to a secondary infection.
To maximize your chances of staying healthy when your roommate is sick, the person who is ill should stay in their room with the door closed as much as possible. If they can use a separate bathroom, no one else in the home should enter that space while the person is recovering. When providing care, such as bringing food or medicine, leave the items at the door and walk away before the sick person opens it. This "no-contact" delivery method is a simple but effective barrier against germs.
What to Do If You Share One Bathroom
If your dorm room or apartment only has one bathroom, communication is key. The sick person should notify roommates before they need to use the common areas so that others can clear the space. To help everyone else stay healthy, follow these additional precautions:
-
Protective Gear: The sick person should wear a mask and gloves when moving through common areas to catch respiratory droplets.
-
Separate Linens: Ensure the sick person uses their own towels in the kitchen and bathroom rather than sharing with the household.
-
Airflow and Sanitation: Open windows to increase ventilation, as fresh airflow helps disperse viral particles. Everyone should close the toilet lid before flushing to prevent aerosolized germs from spreading.
-
Surface Disinfection: When the sick person finishes using a common area, they should wipe down every surface they touched with a standard household disinfectant.
Handle Trash and Laundry with Care
A sick person generates trash, such as used tissues and disposable wipes, that can easily spread germs to others. Make sure the person has their own lined trash can inside their room. When it is time to empty it, double-bag the trash and wash your hands with soap and water for a full 20 seconds afterward. Do not forget to disinfect the doorknobs and trash can lids after handling these items.
When doing laundry, carry the linens in a bag or basket rather than against your arms or body to avoid transferring germs to your clothes. Changing out hand towels in the kitchen and bathroom once every two days is another practical tip for how to stay healthy when your roommate is sick.
Deep Clean Once the Illness Has Passed
Once your roommate has fully recovered, perform a deep clean of the entire space to rid the area of lingering pathogens. Routinely disinfect high-touch surfaces like light switches, faucets, and countertops. You should also disinfect your phone daily, as it is one of the most touched items in your life. Mop the floors once a week and keep outdoor shoes near the front door to prevent tracking bacteria through the living areas.
Dorm Deck and Hack Decks®
Navigating the complexities of shared living is one of the biggest challenges for new students. Dorm Decks are an excellent gift for freshmen or anyone getting settled in a new environment. The best way to help a student succeed is to give them the tools to handle these "real world" moments independently.
Dorm Deck helps students avoid common pitfalls, providing resources for everything from study habits and healthful eating to maintaining a clean and safe living space. These 52-card decks offer practical advice—like when to call home or how to set boundaries with a sick roommate—allowing students to find their footing without constant oversight. By using Hack Decks®, students can establish the healthy habits necessary to keep their semester on track, even during cold and flu season.
