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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19?

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The terms "coronavirus" and "COVID-19" are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different things. Here are the key differences:

  • Coronavirus: Coronaviruses are a family of respiratory viruses that can cause mild to severe respiratory illnesses. They were first identified in the 1960s and include various types, such as SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. Coronaviruses are common in both animals and humans, and in rare cases, they can spread from animals to humans.
  • COVID-19: COVID-19, which stands for "coronavirus disease 2019," is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which emerged in December 2019. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can be severe and has led to millions of deaths worldwide, as well as lasting health problems for some individuals.

In summary, the coronavirus refers to the virus itself, while COVID-19 refers to the disease caused by the specific coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

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  • What is the Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19?
  • Comparative Table: Coronavirus vs Covid 19

    • Comparative Table: Coronavirus vs Covid 19

    The difference between coronavirus and COVID-19 can be summarized in the following table:

    Feature Coronavirus COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)
    Definition Coronaviruses are a family of viruses, named for their crown-like spikes on the surface. There are seven known strains of coronavirus. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the novel (new) coronavirus strain, SARS-CoV-2. It is an abbreviation for "Coronavirus disease 2019".
    Origin Coronaviruses are known to have a large host range, including humans and animals. The novel coronavirus causing COVID-19 likely originated in animals before being transmitted to humans. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, due to a rapid increase in cases worldwide.
    Symptoms COVID-19 symptoms include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. It is believed that symptoms will start to appear within 14 days of infection. COVID-19 illness tends to be milder than SARS and MERS but more severe than the disease caused by the four common coronaviruses.
    Transmission The virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, is transmitted more easily than the virus that causes SARS, SARS-CoV. There is no evidence of seasonal variation with SARS-CoV-2.

    In summary, coronaviruses are a family of viruses, and COVID-19 is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus strain, SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 is milder than SARS and MERS but more severe than the disease caused by the four common coronaviruses. The virus causing COVID-19 is transmitted more easily than the virus causing SARS, and there is no evidence of seasonal variation with SARS-CoV-2.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.