Infections produce a typical coryzal illness that is indistinguishable from colds caused by other viruses, and systemic complaints are not common. Lower respiratory manifestations include pneumonia in children and military recruits and exacerbation of asthma in children and of chronic airway disease in adults. Reported associations with gastrointestinal disease, including necrotizing enterocolitis in infants, and multiple sclerosis have not been proved. Effective antivirals or vaccines are unavailable. Intranasal interferon alfa is protective in experimental coronavirus colds.
Treatment is symptomatic.