I've had a cold for a month, but no medicine seems to help.
A cold lasting for a month without recovery requires intervention through identifying the cause, adjusting medication, enhancing daily care, improving diet, and avoiding triggering factors. Prolonged illness may indicate complications or improper treatment. If symptoms such as persistent high fever, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or coughing up blood occur, prompt medical attention is recommended.
1. Identify the underlying cause: Common colds typically resolve on their own within 7–10 days. A prolonged illness may be due to influenza, bacterial infection, or complications such as rhinitis or bronchitis. It's important to determine whether pathogens other than viruses are involved, avoiding blind use of common cold medications.
2. Adjust medication regimen: Discontinue self-prescribed combination drugs. If a bacterial infection is confirmed, antibiotics should be used under medical guidance. For viral infections, focus on symptomatic and supportive care. Avoid drug misuse that could lead to antibiotic resistance or gut microbiota imbalance, which may impair recovery.
3. Enhance daily care: Ensure 7–8 hours of sleep per night, avoid staying up late or overexertion, and reduce intense physical activity to allow the body to focus energy on fighting the infection. Keep warm and avoid re-exposure to cold, which may worsen symptoms.
4. Improve diet: Consume more protein- and vitamin-rich foods such as lean meat, eggs, and fresh fruits and vegetables to boost immunity. Avoid spicy, greasy, raw, or cold foods to reduce metabolic strain on the body.
5. Avoid triggering factors: Stay away from smoke, dust, and irritating gases. Avoid excessive voice use, crowded places (to prevent cross-infection), and maintain indoor ventilation to reduce respiratory irritation.
Maintain a regular daily routine, drink warm water regularly to soothe the respiratory tract, adjust clothing according to weather changes, avoid anxiety, and engage in mild exercises like walking to strengthen physical health, reduce recurrent colds, and support gradual recovery.
