This winter I’ve had a cold for eight weeks. Is this abnormal and how can I stop it happening next year?
Barry Fletcher, by email

Cold symptoms usually last a couple of weeks but can drag on for up to four weeks. By then your immune system is weak so you can pick up one cold after another. That’s what’s happened to you.

You’ll need to strengthen your immune system if you’re to recover fully and stop it happening again. Plenty of sleep, relaxation and fruit and vegetables will help, as will taking a zinc supplement, laying off the booze and, if you smoke, not smoking. Stay away from people who are coughing and sneezing – a sneeze can spread 100,000 virus particles up to a distance of ten metres. Germs can live on door handles and other such places so wash your hands regularly.

Give your immune system time to recover by building your exercise back up gradually. If you try to start back where you left off before you became unwell you’ll probably just keep going down with colds.