What to send a girlfriend when sick?

A sick girlfriend's text usually tells you more by what it leaves out than by what it says. If she writes in full sentences and mentions specific symptoms, she's probably functional and wants some warmth. If the message is three words, lowercase, or just a sad face, she's likely wiped out and doesn't have the energy to be chatty. Match her length. A short reply to a short message is almost always right, and it tells her you're not going to make her manage a conversation while she's ill.

Pay attention to whether she's asking for anything. Sometimes she's just giving you information, and the best response is acknowledgment. Other times she's hinting she wants company or wants you to check in later. If she says "don't come over, I'm contagious," take that at face value. Offering to bring soup after she's said no makes it harder for her to refuse without feeling rude.

A good reply to a sick message has a warm acknowledgment at the front, a single practical line if it fits, and nothing that needs a response. The warmth should name what's happening to her, like the headache or the bed rest, so she knows you read it. The practical line should be something you can actually do or something she can ignore. Anything that adds a question for her to answer is a cost, so keep questions out unless you really need the answer. The reply should feel like a hand on her shoulder, not a request for a report.

When you're tempted to add a joke, check whether she's in the mood. Light humor can land well if she's been texting playfully, but if she's clearly miserable, a joke can read as you not taking it seriously. When in doubt, leave the joke out and just be warm.

Send the reply within a few hours if you can, since sick messages are often sent when someone is at their lowest and a delayed response feels like silence. You don't need to reply instantly, but a reply later the same day shows you were paying attention. If she's sent something in the morning, a reply by the evening is reasonable, and a reply the next morning is fine too if she's clearly been asleep all day.

After that, one check-in the next day is enough, and it should be lighter than the first message. Something short like asking whether she's feeling any better works. If she doesn't reply, don't send a second follow-up that same day. People who are ill often go quiet because they're sleeping or can't focus, not because they're pulling away. Wait until she surfaces, and keep your next message easy and low-pressure.