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Where does the difference between coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19 lie?

Shkruar nga Anabel

13 Mars 2020

Where does the difference between coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19 lie?

The terms "coronavirus", SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19 are not the same thing, regardless of their affiliation. Because of many questions related to coronavirus, people seem to be still unclear, as you can see in this poll on Anabel's Instagram.

Where does the difference between coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19 lie?

coronavirus

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses, which are so called because of the spiked structure of a crown, hence the name "coronavirus". They are widespread in many species of animals and rarely evolve, transmit, infect humans and then spread among them.

Human coronaviruses were first identified in 1960 and by 2019 6 were known of which 4 common: 229E (alpha coronavirus), NL63 (alpha coronavirus, OC43 (beta coronavirus) and HKU1 (beta coronavirus) .

Two high-risk coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS-CoV (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome), were transmitted from animal reservoirs such as: female cats and gams to humans, causing a global epidemic with high morbidity and mortality.

Where does the difference between coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19 lie?

SARS-COV-2

SARS-CoV-2 is exactly one of the viruses belonging to the coronavirus family. So, like saying "lemon belongs to the citrus family".

Where does the difference between coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19 lie?

Covida-19

Covid-19 is the disease that causes the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which affects the respiratory tract. The name was put in place after the number of infected exceeded 1,000.

"We had to find a name that did not refer to a geographical location, an animal, an individual or a group of people, which is also pronounced and related to the disease," the WHO chief said.

?Having a name is important to prevent the use of other names that may be inaccurate or stigmatizing. It also serves as a standard format for use in any future outbreaks of the virus. ?

The name was formed by the combination of the words "corona", "virus" and "disease" and number 19 was set for 2019 when it appeared.

Where does the difference between coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19 lie?

Source: WHO, Ministry of Health