Abstract: The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition and methods for the treatment of a respiratory disease that results from a viral infection. The pharmaceutical composition can include a peptide that interferes with the Src family kinase-Androgen receptor interaction (i.e., an “SA inhibitor”). The composition can also include Niacin or a Niacin derivative and/or a DNase I or fragment or derivative. The pharmaceutical composition can prevent the development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) associated with Corona vims infection and allow the host adaptive immune response to overcome the infection.