Occasionally pneumonia may complicate these infections, either primary viral pneumonia, or secondary bacterial pneumonia. The Common Cold Causes. Chief complaints include congestion, sneezing, clear to mucopurulent nasal discharge, dry sore throat, low-grade fever, and cough. Physical exam reveals erythematous nasal and oropharyngeal mucosa, and there is a normal chest exam.
Treatment is primarily symptomatic.
Rest, hydration, decongestants such as pseudoephedrine for comfort, acetaminophen for analgesia and fever. Antihistamines have no proved benefit. Ipratropium nasal spray is now available for symptomatic treatment of the cold. These viruses can change their envelope proteins as their host population develops immunity, thereby maintaining the ability to cause recurrent infection in a single host population. Influenza vaccinations for the predicted virulent strains are available in the fall months and are generally effective in preventing or decreasing the intensity and duration of infection.