Coronavirus refers to a large family of viruses that includes SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. For this reason, some people call the virus coronavirus.
This article explores what the word coronavirus means, where the different terms come from, and why COVID-19 is different from other coronavirus diseases.
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Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that have crown-like thorns on their surface. The Latin word for crown is coronam.
There are many types of coronavirus,
- 229E, which can cause the common cold
- MERS-CoV, which causes Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)
- SARS-CoV, which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
In
COVID-19 is the name of the disease that SARS-CoV-2 causes. It is an abbreviation of coronavirus disease 2019.
The World Health Organization (WHO) officially announced this name in
According to the
- fever or chills
- cough
- shortness of breath
- difficulty breathing
- fatigue
- body aches
- headache
- new loss of taste or smell
- sore throat
- congested or runny nose
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhea
There are several types of coronavirus that affect humans. However, while some are
SARS-CoV-2 also appears to spread more easily from person to person than other types of coronavirus, including SARS-CoV, which caused the 2003 SARS outbreak in China and other countries.
Like COVID-19, influenza, or flu, is a respiratory illness that can cause serious complications. Both illnesses spread via tiny droplets that enter the air when someone coughs, talks, or sneezes. If other people inhale these droplets, the virus can multiply rapidly in their body, creating an infection.
However, while the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, the viruses that cause these conditions are different in several ways. The CDC contrast their features as below:
| Flu | COVID-19 | |
| Symptom onset | symptoms take | symptoms typically take 5 days to develop, but can take between 2–14 days |
| Transmission period | people with flu are contagious for 1 day before symptoms develop, and 3–7 days afterward | people with COVID-19 are contagious 2 days before symptoms develop, and at least 10 days afterward |
| How it spreads | spreads through close contact | spreads through close contact, but more efficiently than flu to larger numbers of people |
| Risk for children | higher risk for complications in children | lower risk for complications in otherwise healthy children, though some develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, a rare but serious condition |
| Treatment | antiviral medications can help reduce the duration | no treatment available, though research is ongoing |
| Vaccination | annual flu vaccination can protect against some strains | no vaccine available |
Although there are currently no agreed-upon medications or vaccines for COVID-19, scientists are testing several potential treatments, including remdesivir and dexamethasone. As of
Because SARS-CoV-2 spreads so easily, prevention is crucial to stop people from contracting COVID-19. This is important to protect at-risk groups, such as:
- older adults
- people with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes
- obesity
Early in the pandemic, scientists predicted that people with compromised immune systems would also be at risk for severe illness. However, a large study found that rates of COVID-19 were not significantly higher among veterans with HIV compared to those without HIV.
It is
Physical distancing
Physical distancing involves avoiding close contact with others. The CDC recommend:
- staying
2 meters (6 feet) apart from other people - staying at home as much as possible
- avoiding crowded places where physical distancing is not possible
Handwashing
The hands come into contact with many surfaces. As viruses can live on surfaces, it is important to wash hands regularly when:
- being in a public place
- touching the nose, coughing, or sneezing
- preparing or eating food
- touching the face or eyes
- using a restroom or changing a diaper
- being in contact with someone who is ill
- touching animals
- handling a face mask
To thoroughly wash hands, a person should use soap and water for at least
Avoid touching the eyes, nose, mouth, or face with unwashed hands. People should also wear disposable gloves while caring for someone who is sick.
Face masks
The CDC advise wearing a mask that covers the mouth and nose completely when in a public space, or around people who are not in a person’s support bubble.
People should always cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or by aiming into the nook of the elbow. They can dispose of tissues and soiled single-use masks in the designated garbage.
A person can clean reusable masks in a washing machine with laundry detergent on the highest setting for the fabric, or by hand using a bleach solution. The bleach should contain
To handwash a mask:
- add 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of room temperature water
- soak the mask for 5 minutes
- discard the solution and thoroughly rinse the mask before drying
Clean and disinfect
It is important to regularly clean and disinfect objects that people often touch, such as:
- tables
- countertops
- handles
- light switches
- phones
- keyboards
- toilets
- faucets
- sinks
Monitor for symptoms
People should watch for symptoms such as a fever, cough, or shortness of breath. If a person experiences these, they should take their temperature if possible.
A person should not measure their body temperature within
It is worth noting not everyone who develops COVID-19 will get all of these symptoms. If they experience any of the potential signs of COVID-19, they should call a medical professional for advice.
If someone develops possible COVID-19 symptoms, they should stay at home. They should also avoid public spaces and not use public transport. If possible, they need to remain in a separate room in the home, away from other people or pets.
A person with symptoms should call a doctor via phone if possible. They should not visit a medical facility without calling ahead first, as this could expose other people to the virus. A doctor can provide advice on what to do next.
- confusion
- bluish lips, face, or skin
- trouble breathing
- continuous pain or pressure in the chest
- inability to wake up or stay awake
When calling for emergency help, be sure to communicate the possibility of COVID-19, so medical professionals and staff can take proper precautions.
People refer to the virus that causes COVID-19 as coronavirus, as this is the name of the family of viruses in which it belongs.
While SARS-CoV-2 has similarities to other coronaviruses, it can cause a wider range of symptoms, and in some cases, severe or fatal illness. Preventing the spread is essential to protect vulnerable groups.