Introduction:

Coronaviruses are types of viruses that typically affect the respiratory tracts of birds and
mammals, including humans. Doctors associate them with the common cold, bronchitis,
pneumonia, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and they can also affect the gut.
These viruses are typically responsible for common colds more than serious diseases. However,
coronaviruses are also behind some more severe outbreaks. Over the last 70 years, scientists have
found that coronaviruses can infect mice, rats, dogs, cats, turkeys, horses, pigs, and cattle.
Sometimes, these animals can transmit coronaviruses to humans. Most recently, authorities
identified a new coronavirus outbreak in China that has now reached other countries. It has the
name coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19.
In this article, we explain the different types of human coronaviruses, their symptoms, and how
people transmit them. We also focus on three particularly dangerous diseases that have spread
due to coronaviruses: COVID-19, SARS, and MERS.

What is a coronavirus?
Researchers first isolated a coronavirus in 1937. They found a coronavirus responsible for an
infectious bronchitis virus in birds that had the ability to devastate poultry stocks.
Scientists first found evidence of human coronaviruses (HCoV) in the 1960s in the noses of
people with the common cold. Two human coronaviruses are responsible for a large proportion
of common colds: OC43 and 229E.
The name “coronavirus” comes from the crown-like projections on their surfaces. “Corona” in
Latin means “halo” or “crown.”
Among humans, coronavirus infections most often occur during the winter months and early
spring. People regularly become ill with a cold due to a coronavirus and may catch the same one
about 4 months later.
This is because coronavirus antibodies do not last for a long time. Also, the antibodies for one
strain of coronavirus may be ineffective against another one.

What is the 2019 novel Coronavirus?

A novel (new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans was identified in
Wuhan, China in December 2019. This virus is called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the disease that it causes is called Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19). The first cases of COVID-19 were identified in people working in a seafood and
live animal market in Wuhan. It is thought that humans picked up the virus from animals at the
market.
Outbreaks of novel viral infections among people are always of public health concern, especially
when little is known about the virus, how it spreads between people, how severe the resulting
diseases are and how to treat them.

Source and Spread of the Virus

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different
species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can
infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and now
with this new virus (named SARS-CoV-2).
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is a betacoronavirus, like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. All three of
these viruses have their origins in bats. The sequences from U.S. patients are similar to the one
that China initially posted, suggesting a likely single, recent emergence of this virus from an
animal reservoir.
Early on, many of the patients at the epicenter of the outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
had some link to a large seafood and live animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread.
Later, a growing number of patients reportedly did not have exposure to animal markets,
indicating person-to-person spread. Person-to-person spread was subsequently reported outside
Hubei and in countries outside China, including in the United States. Some international
destinations now have apparent community spread with the virus that causes COVID-19, as do
some parts of the United States. Community spread means some people have been infected and it
is not known how or where they became exposed. Learn what is known about the spread of this
newly emerged coronaviruses.

Symptoms
Cold- or flu-like symptoms usually set in from 2–4 days after a coronavirus infection and are
typically mild. However, symptoms vary from person-to-person, and some forms of the virus can
be fatal.
Symptoms include:

 Sneezing
 Runny nose
 Fatigue
 Cough
 Fever in rare cases
 Sore throat
 Exacerbated asthma

Scientists cannot easily cultivate human coronaviruses in the laboratory unlike the rhinovirus,
which is another cause of the common cold. This makes it difficult to gauge the impact of the
coronavirus on national economies and public health.
There is no cure, so treatments include self-care and over-the-counter (OTC) medication. People
can take several steps, including:

 resting and avoiding overexertion

 drinking enough water
 avoiding smoking and smoky areas
 taking acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen for pain and fever
 using a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer

A doctor can diagnose the virus responsible by taking a sample of respiratory fluids, such as
mucus from the nose, or blood.

Types
Coronaviruses belong to the subfamily Coronavirinae in the family Coronaviridae. Different
types of human coronaviruses vary in how severe the resulting disease becomes, and how far
they can spread.
Doctors currently recognize seven types of coronavirus that can infect humans.
Common types include:

 229E (alpha coronavirus)

 NL63 (alpha coronavirus)
 OC43 (beta coronavirus)
 HKU1 (beta coronavirus)

Rarer strains that cause more severe complications include MERS-CoV, which causes Middle
East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and SARS-CoV, the virus responsible for severe acute
respiratory syndrome (SARS). In 2019, a dangerous new strain called SARS-CoV-2 started
circulating, causing the disease COVID-19.

COVID-19
In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) started monitoring the outbreak
of a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes the respiratory illness now known as COVID-
19. Authorities first identified the virus in Wuhan, China. More than 74,000 people have
contracted the virus in China. Health authorities have identified many other people with COVID-
19 around the world, including many in the United States. On January 31, 2020, the virus passed
from one person to another in the U.S.
The World Health Organization (WHO) have declared a public health emergency relating to
COVID-19. Since then, this strain has been diagnosed in several U.S. residents. The CDC have
advised that it is likely to spread to more people. COVID-19 has started causing disruption in at
least 25 other countries.
The first people with COVID-19 had links to an animal and seafood market. This fact suggested
that animals initially transmitted the virus to humans. However, people with a more recent
diagnosis had no connections with or exposure to the market, confirming that humans can pass
the virus to each other.
Information on the virus is scarce at present. In the past, respiratory conditions that develop from
coronaviruses, such as SARS and MERS, have spread through close contacts.
On February 17, 2020, the Director-General of the WHO presented at a media briefing
the following updates on how often the symptoms of COVID-19 are severe or fatal, using data
from 44,000 people with a confirmed diagnosis:

Rough percentage of people

Stage of severity
with COVID-19

Mild disease from which a person can recover More than 80%

Severe disease, causing breathlessness and pneumonia Around 14%

Critical disease, including septic shock, respiratory failure,

About 5%
and the failure of more than one organ

Fatal disease 2%

The Director-General also noted that the risk of serious complications increases with age.
According to the WHO, few children get COVID-19, although they are still investigating the
reasons for this.
However, while some viruses are highly contagious, it is less clear how rapidly coronaviruses
will spread. Symptoms vary from person-to-person with COVID-19. It may produce few or no
symptoms. However, it can also lead to severe illness and may be fatal. Common symptoms
include:
 fever
 breathlessness
 cough
It may take 2–14 days for a person to notice symptoms after infection. No vaccine is currently
available for COVID-19. However, scientists have now replicated the virus. This could allow for
early detection and treatment in people who have the virus but are not yet showing symptoms.

SARS
SARS was a contagious disease that developed after infection by the SARS-CoV coronavirus.
Typically, it led to a life threatening form of pneumonia. During November 2002, the virus
started in the Guangdong Province in southern China, eventually reaching Hong Kong. From
there, it rapidly spread around the world, causing infections in more than 24 countries. SARS-
CoV can infect both the upper and lower respiratory tracts.
The symptoms of SARS develop over the course of a week and start with a fever. Early on in the
condition, people develop flu-like symptoms, such as:
 dry coughing
 chills
 diarrhea
 breathlessness
 aches
Pneumonia, a severe lung infection, usually develops. At its most advanced stage, SARS causes
failure of the lungs, heart, or liver. According to the CDC, authorities marked 8,098 people as
having contracted SARS. Of these, 774 infections were fatal. This equates to a mortality rate of
9.6%. Complications were more likely in older adults, and half of all people over 65 years of age
who became ill did not survive. Authorities eventually controlled SARS in July 2003.

MERS
MERS spread due to the coronavirus known as MERS-CoV. Scientists first recognized this
severe respiratory illness in 2012 after it surfaced in Saudi Arabia. Since then, it has spread to
other countries. The virus has reached the U.S., while the largest outbreak outside the Arabian
Peninsula occurred in South Korea in 2015. Symptoms of MERS include fever, breathlessness,
and coughing. The illness spreads through close contact with people who already have an
infection. However, all cases of MERS have links to individuals recently returning from travel to
the Arabian Peninsula.

Transmission
Limited research is available on how HCoV spreads from one person to the next. However,
researchers believe that the viruses transmit via fluids in the respiratory system, such as mucus.
Coronaviruses can spread in the following ways:
  Coughing and sneezing without covering the mouth can disperse droplets into the air.
 Touching or shaking hands with a person who has the virus can pass the virus between
individuals.
 Making contact with a surface or object that has the virus and then touching the nose,
eyes, or mouth.
 Some animal coronaviruses, such as feline coronavirus (FCoV), may spread
through contact with feces. However, it is unclear whether this also applies to human
coronaviruses.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggest that several groups of people have the highest
risk of developing complications due to COVID-19. These groups include:
 young children
 people aged 65 years or older
 women who are pregnant
Coronaviruses will infect most people at some time during their lifetime. Coronaviruses can
mutate effectively, which makes them so contagious. To prevent transmission, people should
stay at home and rest while symptoms are active. They should also avoid close contact with other
people. Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or handkerchief while coughing or sneezing
can also help prevent transmission. It is important to dispose of any tissues after use and
maintain hygiene around the home.

Locations with Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, by WHO Region

Africa Americas Europe

 Algeria  Argentina  Albania

 Cameroon  Brazil  Andorra
 Nigeria  Canada  Armenia
 Senegal  Chile  Austria
 South Africa  Colombia  Azerbaijan
 Togo  Costa Rica  Belarus
 Dominican  Belgium
Eastern Mediterranean  Republic  Bosnia and
 Ecuador  Herzegovina
 Afghanistan  French  Bulgaria
 Bahrain  Guiana  Croatia
 Egypt
  Iran  Guadalupe  Czechia
 Iraq  Martinique  Denmark
 Jordan  Mexico  Estonia
 Kuwait  Paraguay  Finland
 Lebanon  Peru  France
 Morocco  United States  Georgia
 Oman  Germany
 Pakistan South-East Asia  Gibraltar
 Qatar  Greece
 Saudi Arabia  Bangladesh  Holy See (Vatican
 Tunisia  Bhutan City)
 United Arab  India  Hungary
Emirates  Indonesia  Iceland
 Maldives  Ireland
Western Pacific  Nepal  Israel
 Sri Lanka  Italy
 Australia  Thailand  Latvia
 Cambodia  Liechtenstein
 China Middle Europe  San Marino
 Hong Kong  Serbia
 Japan  Lithuania  Slovakia
 Macau  Luxembourg  Slovenia
 Malaysia  Malta  Spain
 New Zealand  Moldova  Sweden
 Philippines  Monaco  Switzerland
 Republic of Korea  Netherlands  Ukraine
 Singapore  North Macedonia  United Kingdom
 Taiwan  Norway  Romania
 Vietnam  Poland  Russia
 Portugal

Risk Assessment
Outbreaks of novel virus infections among people are always of public health concern. The risk
to the general public from these outbreaks depends on characteristics of the virus, including how
well it spreads between people; the severity of resulting illness; and the medical or other
measures available to control the impact of the virus (for example, vaccines or medications that
can treat the illness). That this disease has caused severe illness, including illness resulting in
death is concerning, especially since it has also shown sustained person-to-person spread in
several places. These factors meet two of the criteria of a pandemic. As community spread is
detected in more and more countries, the world moves closer toward meeting the third criteria,
worldwide spread of the new virus.
It is important to note that current circumstances suggest it is likely that this virus will cause a
pandemic. This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC’s risk assessment will be updated as
needed.
For most people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is
thought to be low. This virus is not currently widespread in the United States. People in places
where ongoing community spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 has been reported are at
elevated risk of exposure, with increase in risk dependent on the location. Healthcare workers
caring for patients with COVID-19 are at elevated risk of exposure. Close contacts of persons
with COVID-19 also are at elevated risk of exposure. Travelers returning from affected
international locations where community spread is occurring also are at elevated risk of
exposure, with increase in risk dependent on the location. CDC has developed guidance to help
in the risk assessment and management of people with potential exposures to COVID-19.

Coronavirus: Safety and Readiness Tips 

The American Red Cross is closely monitoring the evolving outbreak of Coronavirus Disease
2019 (COVID-19), as well as following the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC). We know this is a stressful time and people want to know what they can do right now to
protect themselves and their families. That’s why the Red Cross is highlighting some everyday
health safety and preparedness steps that people in the U.S. can take now in response to
coronavirus concerns.

Limit the Spread of Germs and Prevent Infection

There are common sense steps we can all take to prevent the spread of any respiratory virus:

 Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

 Stay home when you are sick.
 Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and throw the tissue
away after use. If a tissue isn’t available, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your
hands.
 Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going
to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If
soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least
60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
 Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
 Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your
stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food. Disinfect doorknobs, switches,
handles, computers, telephones, bedside tables, bathroom sinks, toilets, counters, toys and
other surfaces that are commonly touched around the home or workplace.
 Follow the CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
o CDC does not recommend that people who are healthy wear a facemask to protect
themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
o Facemasks should be used by people who are ill to help prevent the spread of the
disease to others.
o The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking
care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
Get Your Household Ready
There are things you can do right now to be ready for any emergency, and many of these same
tips will help you prepare as the coronavirus situation continues to evolve in the U.S. Have a
supply of food staples and household supplies like laundry detergent and bathroom items, and
diapers if you have small children.
Check to make sure you have at least a 30-day supply of your prescription medications, and have
other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold
medicines, fluids with electrolytes and vitamins. Know how your local public health agency will
share information in your community and stay informed. Find more information here.
Learn how your children’s school or daycare, and your workplace will handle a possible
outbreak. Create a plan in the event of any closings, event cancellations or postponements. If you
care for older adults or children, plan and prepare for caring for them, should they or you become
sick? Help family members and neighbors get prepared and share the safety messaging with
those who may not have access to it.
According to the CDC, patients with COVID-19 have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory
illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and include fever, cough and shortness
of breath. Call your healthcare professional if you develop symptoms and have been in close
contact with a person known to have the disease or if you have recently traveled from an area
with widespread or ongoing community spread of the disease.
There is no specific treatment for COVID-19. However, many of the symptoms can be treated
and therefore treatment is based on the patient’s clinical condition. Antibiotics do not work
against viral infections; they only work against bacterial infections. COVID-19 is caused by a
virus (SARS-CoV-2) and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used to prevent or treat COVID-
19.
When a disease is new, there is no vaccine until one is developed. There is currently no vaccine
for COVID-19 but research is ongoing into the development of a vaccine.

Special precautions
If you feel ill with flu-like respiratory symptoms after traveling abroad, please self-quarantine
and immediately contact your primary care physician.
Although the CDC has said the risk here in the U.S. still remains low, the College encourages
everyone to practice good hygiene such as avoiding contact with sick people and cleaning hands
often by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60% to 95%
alcohol. Appropriate precautions will be taken on each campus to ensure the health and safety of
faculty, staff and students.