I have achieved this by pills alone in the past. I know the feeling. I believe that it does work on the underlying pathophysiology of the illness, either directly or indirectly. There may be a misunderstanding of semantics going on here. I consider the infection as the illness itself.
Decongestants treat the symptom.
Antibiotics treat the illness. A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore. I have achieved this by pills alone in the past. I know the feeling. I believe that it does work on the underlying pathophysiology of the illness, either directly or indirectly.