Despite its prevalence, the common cold is complicated and can be diff
icult To asat, even symptomatically. There is still no cure for the my
riad of viruses that cause the common cold. Many of the most popular r
emedies are either ineffective or counter productive. This paper revie
ws the causes and course of upper respiratory infections, and discusse
s treatment options, including a new anticholinergic aqueous formulati
on for controlling rhinorrhea.