A coronavirus is a type of virus that can trigger respiratory symptoms that can feel like a flu or cold. The virus that’s responsible for the current outbreak has been identified as SARS-CoV-2. It’s the same virus that caused a massive outbreak in 2003, dubbed severe acute respiration syndrome (SARS). The new virus is spreading more easily and more quickly than the one that caused SARS. It is also spreading faster than the SARS CoV-1 virus during its outbreak.
Aerosols are tiny droplets or particles released by a person who has the virus when they cough, sneeze or talk. The virus can stay floating for a long time in the air. You can breathe it in or even touch it on surfaces. Infected individuals can contract the virus after touching a person with the virus or a surface and then breathing the virus in or placing their hands in their mouths or nose, or eyes. Some people will not show any symptoms, and may not even be aware of the disease. Others can become very ill.
Most people get an infection from coronavirus at minimum once in their lifetime and most often when they are children. Most cases are mild and go away on their own, but certain cases can be very serious or even fatal. Scientists are trying to find a solution.
