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Step 1
Not catching a cold from another person is largely your responsibility. For whatever reason, people with colds don't feel too sympathetic about giving their colds to other people. Take preventative matters into your own hands. If someone you know has a cold, take measures to protect yourself while still being friendly to the person.
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Step 2
Wash your hands every hour with antibacterial soap, or after every physical interaction with the sick person.
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Step 3
Don't rub your eyes. Rubbing your eyes spreads the cold virus directly into your body, and is one of the most common ways to get a cold.
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Step 4
Let the sick person have his/her own area in the household. Visit the sick person and keep them company, but avoid getting too close or handling items they have touched. Give the sick person their own box of tissue and their own wastebasket.
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Step 5
When the sick person is feeling well enough to move around the house, they may still be infectious. Don't assume that just because the person is up and at 'em that they aren't still contagious.
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Step 6
Wash surfaces with disinfectant cleaner. Clean door knobs and keyboards and remote controls.
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Step 7
Don't constantly tell the sick person how upset you'll be if you get the cold. Assume responsibility for your own wellness.
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Step 8
If a person with a cold is really careless about exposing other people to his/her illness, gently remind the individual that they are being careless. Chances are, they person is just being absentminded, and forgotten that he/she is still contagious.
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Step 9
Assume the other person has a cold the instant they first describe the symptoms. That way you can protect yourself even before the other person feels sick.
Comments
blingaling said
on 1/25/2009 This is really thoughtful advice, especially the tip about not constantly telling the sick person how upset you'll be if you catch his cold.