Some suggestions for looking after someone who has a minor, non-life-threatening illness or injury while away from home.

Sometimes a trip is interrupted by illness or injury. It's bad enough when this happens at home, but even worse while travelling.

If you are travelling with someone, or hosting them at your home, when they become sick or hurt, what can you do?

These steps are meant to apply to non-life-threatening illnesses. For anything which seems unfamiliar or risky seek medical attention. The advice given here is for relatively minor conditions where the afflicted person is fully conscious and able to participate completely in telling you what they need.

Understand the Nature and Severity of the Problem

This can require some tact, but you do want to be sure that the sick or injured person is not putting themselves in medical danger by denying the severity of their condition. Once you know what is wrong, you can do your best to make the person comfortable while they recover.

Attend to Immediate Needs First

Whatever the most urgent things are, deal with them and then move on to less urgent matters. For example, and this is a little indelicate, but if the person has a gastro-intestinal problem - stomach flu, food poisoning - give them a bucket and a bathroom while you prepare a place to house them. If they have a muscle sprain or bruise, let them have a place to rest so they can elevate the hurt part and put ice on it.

If you do not know first aid and it is needed, call your local hospital, medical help line, or whatever service is available in your area.

Prepare a Quiet Resting Place

Even in a small apartment you can make a private resting area by stringing up a sheet as a screen. If the person is not comfortable lying in a bed but needs to rest, use pillows to prop them up in bed, or find a comfortable chair.

Hydration

Some people would put this as Step 1 because it is so important to drink enough at all times, not just when we are under the weather. However, a conscious and actively participating patient should be able to ask for water if they want it. The important thing is that you check up on them reasonably often and make sure they always have water or clear fluids nearby. When the problem is with a broken bone or injured muscle, after the initial pain and shock have worn off, the person does not need to limit themselves to just clear fluids, but for conditions which might involve an upset stomach or congestion of the lungs and airways, it's probably a good idea.

Nutrition

Small, regular meals and snacks are better than large ones. Avoid spicy, salty, or sugary foods. Stick to plain cooking and fresh ingredients. For people who are bedridden but feel like eating, the day can be long and tedious. Food is often the high point, so do your best to make it interesting and healthy. Small quantities, lots of variety.

Sunshine and Fresh Air

A window makes a huge difference!

Drugs

This is up to the sick person to decide. You can be the "Gopher" who goes for the remedies the person requests. If they don't know what might work for them, you can help them phone the nearest pharmacist for advice about over the counter remedies. In some places there are hospital or health unit helplines.

Infection Control

With a person who is sick with a "bug", it's important to keep that germ from spreading around your own household. Give the person their own towels and, if possible, their own room and bathroom. Wash your hands frequently, and always before and after visiting them. (Germs live everywhere).

Provide the sick person with a new toothbrush (in case their old one is infected), and give them another new one in a couple of days when they are getting better. And don't let their toothbrush or other personal items get mingled with anyone else's. (Germs can jump and swim.)

Bathing

Make sure the person is steady on their feet before they take a shower or bath on their own. If they haven't been able to bathe, you can provide warm water in a large bowl or baby bath, and let them sponge themselves with facecloths and towels. You may be able to do hair washing in bed, and for men, you can recharge their electric shaver or bring them water, soap and a razor.

Boredom

It's boring being sick or hurt, especially if you have to lie around. This can bring on irritability and even depression. To keep everyone's nerves under control and spirits up, try to avoid spending 24 hours a day together (unless you are already living together). If the patient is comfortable being left alone, give them a telephone, a TV, a book, something to eat and drink, and go out for a while.

Mobility

Loaner wheelchairs are available at many larger shopping centres, airports, and for rent from medical supply and home care companies. Take advantage of this if you are dealing with a mobility-limiting condition, as it will help you to take your guest or companion on outings sooner.

Make Progress

If the patient's condition does not improve within a day or two, unless you already know exactly what to expect medically, it is time to re-evaluate the situation and to seek medical advice. They should be getting better while with you, not going through a serious illness without treatment.

Patients: Ask for What You Need

It is hard to guess what a person might want. If you are the patient in this scenario, try to be clear about what you would like and when. Tell your host or companion if you are comfortable being left alone, or whether you want to be checked on hourly. They have already offered to help, so make it easy for them by giving good instructions.

Remember, this advice is for people with non-serious illnesses. If you don't know what the problem is, seek medical attention.

For suggestions on preparing yourself for dealing with first aid emergencies, Update Your Lifesaving Skillshas a list of organizations offering first aid training.