Subfamily Orthocoronavirinae | Realm Riboviria Synonym Coronavirinae | |
![]() Cross-sectional model of a coronavirus. | ||
Scientific name Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Similar |
What is Coronavirus ?
Coronavirus (CoV) is a member of a large group of viruses that are responsible for causing different illnesses. These diseases range from the common cold to more dangerous diseases such as SARS-CoV , MERS-CoV & SARS-CoV-2.
Contents
- What is Coronavirus
- The Coronavirus Explained What You Should Do
- COVID 19 Animation What Happens If You Get Coronavirus
- What are the symptoms of COVID 19
- How to protect yourself against the new coronavirus SARS CoV 2 COVID 19
- COVID 19 MYTH BUSTERS
- Will warm or hot weather kill Corona Virus SARS CoV 2 COVID 19
- Can Snow and cold weather kill Corona Virus SARS CoV 2 COVID 19
- Does Taking a hot bath help to prevent coronavirus SARS CoV 2 COVID 19 Infection
- Can Mosquito bites infect you with coronavirus SARS CoV 2 COVID 19
- Can Hand dryers kill the new coronavirus SARS CoV 2 COVID 19
- Does an Ultraviolet disinfection lamp kill the new coronavirus SARS CoV 2 COVID 19
- Is Usage of Thermal scanners the foolproof method of detecting coronavirus SARS CoV 2 COVID 19
- Can spraying chlorine or alcohol all over your body destroy the new coronavirus SARS CoV 2 COVID 19
- Can vaccines against pneumonia shield you against the new coronavirus SARS CoV 2 COVID 19
- Can regular saline rinse of your nose prevent the new coronavirus SARS CoV 2 COVID 19 infection
- Can garlic intake help prevent the new coronavirus infection SARS CoV 2 COVID 19
- Are older people more susceptible to the new coronavirus SARS CoV 2 COVID 19
- Are antibiotics useful in treating and preventing the new coronavirus SARS CoV 2 COVID 19
- Are there any particular medicines that can be used for the treatment and prevention of the new coronavirus SARS CoV 2 COVID 19 infection
- Questions Answers
- How is COVID 19 transmitted or Spread
- Can COVID 19 be transmitted from a person who shows no symptoms of the illness
- Can I get COVID 19 from the feces of an infected person
- How can I protect myself from COVID 19 and prevent its transmission or spread
- What is my possibility of catching COVID 19
- Should I worry about COVID 19
- Is COVID 19 the same as SARS
- Is it compulsory to wear a mask so that you can protect yourself from the virus
- How to put on use take off and dispose of a mask
- How long is the incubation period for coronavirus SARS CoV 2 COVID 19
- Can humans get COVID 19 disease from an Animal
- Can I catch COVID 19 from my Pet
- How long can the virus survive on various surfaces
- Is it safe to accept a package from a COVID 19 infected area
- Is there anything I should not do
- What you should do
- References
The Coronavirus Explained & What You Should Do
SARS-CoV-2 (Virus Name) COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease) is a recently found virus in this family that has not been identified in humans previously.


COVID-19 Animation: What Happens If You Get Coronavirus?
Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (yellow)—also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19—isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells (blue/pink) cultured in the lab. Credit: NIAID-RML.

Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 ; This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (round gold objects) emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. SARS-CoV-2, also known as 2019-nCoV, is the virus that causes COVID-19. The virus shown was isolated from a patient in the U.S. Credit: NIAID-RML.

Micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virions (red) isolated from a patient during the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic.

Coronaviruses can be transmitted between animals and people and hence are called zoonotic. Detailed researches have revealed that SARS-CoV was transmitted to humans from civet cats. Similarly, MERS-CoV was transmitted to humans from dromedary camels. As a matter of fact, many other known coronaviruses, which have not yet affected humans, are supposed to be circulating in animals.
Common symptoms of coronavirus disease consist of fever, cough, breathing difficulties and respiratory symptoms. In more severe cases it can lead to more dangerous medical conditions such as severe acute respiratory syndrome, pneumonia, failure of kidneys, and even death.
The standard recommendations to prevent the spread of the virus include washing your hands regularly, covering nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, and cooking meat and eggs thoroughly. It is also important to avoid close contact with people showing respiratory illness symptoms such as sneezing and coughing.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19 ?

Common symptoms of COVID-19 disease are
Some patients may also have a
How to protect yourself against the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) ?
Basic Protective Measures

To protect yourself and others from the coronavirus, first, you should be aware of the latest information on the virus outbreak. This information is available on the WHO website. Your local and national public health authorities can also help you to stay updated about the coronavirus outbreak.
Keep in mind that even though most infected people can recover after experiencing mild illness, it can be dangerous for others. Therefore, to protect yourself and others from this deadly virus follow the guidelines mentioned below.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (More than 60% alcohol content) so that viruses on your hands gets killed.
If you happen to be near someone who is sneezing or coughing, maintain at least one meter ( 3 feet ) distance from them. This will help you to protect yourself from the virus as small liquid droplets in an infected person’s cough or sneeze contain the COVID-19 virus. Therefore, if you stand too close to such a person and breathe in these droplets, you can also become infected.
Your hands can become contaminated with the virus easily as they touch many surfaces. Once your hands are contaminated, if you touch your nose, eyes and mouth with it, the virus can get transferred to these organs and enter your body, making you sick.
As droplets in an infected person's cough and sneeze lead to the spreading of the virus, it is very important to practice good respiratory hygiene to protect yourself and others from infection. Always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your bent elbow when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Make sure to stay home and follow the instructions of your local health authority if you are unwell. Seeking help from national and local authorities in an early stage will help your health care provider to direct you to the right health facility immediately so that further spread of the virus is stopped.
Your national and local authorities will know about the extent of the coronavirus outbreak in your locality. Therefore, follow their advice on how to protect yourself from getting infected.
Protection measures for people in the affected countries or have recently visited affected countries in the past 14 days
COVID-19 MYTH BUSTERS

Will warm or hot weather kill Corona Virus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) ?
In Areas, where hot and humid climate exists SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus can be transmitted.

From the data available so far, the coronavirus can be transmitted in all areas regardless of the climate condition of the place. Therefore, make sure to adopt the recommended protective measures if you are an inhabitant or have traveled to a place where COVID-19 cases are reported. One of the basic things you can do to protect yourself against coronavirus is to clean your hands frequently. This will help you to kill viruses on your hands and avoid infection.
Can Snow and cold weather kill Corona Virus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) ?
Snow and cold weather CANNOT kill the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
There is no proof to believe that snow and cold weather can kill the new coronavirus.

Remember that the average human body temperature is between 36.5°C to 37°C, irrespective of the temperature outside. The best way to keep you safe from the new coronavirus infection is to clean your hands frequently with alcohol-based hand rub or with soap and water.
Does Taking a hot bath help to prevent coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Infection ?
Taking a hot bath DOES NOT help to prevent coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Infection.Remember that your average body temperature remains between 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the water temperature you use to shower. Therefore, taking a hot bath is not going to make any difference to your chances of infection. However, using extremely hot water can be harmful to you as it can burn you. To protect yourself against coronavirus, clean your hands frequently using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (More than 60% alcohol content) . This will help you to kill viruses on your hands and avoid infection.
Can Mosquito bites infect you with coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) ?

Mosquito bites CANNOT infect you with coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). No information or evidence to date suggests mosquito bites could spread coronavirus. It is a respiratory virus that transmits mainly through cough or sneeze droplets, saliva, and nasal discharge of the infected person. Therefore, make sure to avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Can Hand dryers kill the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) ?

The most crucial step to kill the coronavirus is to keep your hands clean and disinfected. For this, clean your hands frequently using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (More than 60% alcohol content) . This will help you to kill viruses on your hands and avoid infection. Using a hand dryer to dry your cleaned hands will not kill the coronavirus.
Does an Ultraviolet disinfection lamp kill the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) ?
An ultraviolet disinfection lamp WILL NOT kill the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) .

UV lamps will not help in destroying coronaviruses that have previously entered your body.
Is Usage of Thermal scanners the foolproof method of detecting coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) ?

Thermal scanners ARE NOT a 100% foolproof method of detecting coronavirus infection
Can spraying chlorine or alcohol all over your body destroy the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) ?
Spraying chlorine or alcohol on your body will not help in destroying coronaviruses that have previously entered your body. Spraying these can be harmful to your mucous membranes. However, alcohol and chlorine can be used to disinfect surfaces you often touch with your hands. Make sure that they are used according to appropriate recommendations.
Can vaccines against pneumonia shield you against the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)?

Can regular saline rinse of your nose prevent the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection?
Can garlic intake help prevent the new coronavirus infection SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) ?

Are older people more susceptible to the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) ?
Are antibiotics useful in treating and preventing the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) ?
Are there any particular medicines that can be used for the treatment and prevention of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection ?

Questions & Answers
How is COVID-19 transmitted or Spread ?

Can COVID-19 be transmitted from a person who shows no symptoms of the illness ?
Can I get COVID-19 from the feces of an infected person ?
How can I protect myself from COVID-19 and prevent its transmission or spread ?

What is my possibility of catching COVID-19 ?
Your possibility of catching COVID-19 will greatly depend on your geographical location. This means that you have a higher chance of getting infected if you happen to visit or live in a place where the COVID-19 outbreak is unfolding.
Every time a new case of COVID-19 is reported, concerned health authorities and government authorities are taking strong action to limit its spreading. Please make sure to obey all local restrictions on travel and avoid big crowds in your locality.
Also, cooperate with the virus outbreak control efforts in your area. This will reduce your possibility of catching the virus. Keep in mind that COVID-19 outbreaks can be restricted, and transmission stopped if we try hard enough.
Should I worry about COVID-19 ?
COVID-19 infection is often mild in young people and children. However, for one in every five people infected, it can turn dangerous, and the infected person might require hospital care.
It is, therefore, quite natural for people to worry about whether the COVID-19 outbreak will affect them. However, instead of worrying, it is more productive to direct our concerns into actions such as regular handwashing and practice of good respiratory hygiene to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the infection.
Also keep informed and follow the advice of the local health authorities including any restrictions applied on travel, movement and gatherings etc.
Is COVID-19 the same as SARS ?
No. Even though the virus that caused SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak in the year 2003 and COVID-19 are related to each other in a genetic sense, they are not the same.
The diseases triggered by them are also different. SARS had a higher mortality rate but was less infectious when compared to COVID-19. Since 2003, there have been no incidents of SARS.
Is it compulsory to wear a mask so that you can protect yourself from the virus ?

There are different types of masks non-medical , medical , Respirators (also known as filtering facepiece respirators --FFR) and available at different performance levels such as FFP2, FFP3, N95, N99) etc..
Wearing a medical mask can limit the spread of certain respiratory viral diseases, including COVID-19. However, the use of a mask alone is not sufficient to provide an adequate level of protection. Other measures such as physical distancing and hand hygiene should be adopted.
The evidence and benefits of non-medical masks is limited. One study showed that the risk of respiratory infection is increased (and not reduced) in health care workers using cotton cloth masks when compared to medical masks. Cloth masks are currently being recommended by some countries as a means of source control in the general population. Although their protective effectiveness to the wearer is unknown, they may protect others if the wearer is a pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic carrier. WHO is continuing to gather and review data as new studies become available and will update guidance accordingly.
How to put on, use, take off, and dispose of a mask ?

How long is the incubation period for coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) ?

The incubation period of a virus means the time between the virus entering your body and the time when symptoms of the disease begin to surface.
The incubation period for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is between one to fourteen days, five being the most common figure. More information on this will be updated as more data becomes available.
Can humans get COVID-19 disease from an Animal ?
Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are commonly seen in animals. However, potential animal sources of COVID-19 are yet to be confirmed.
As the risk remains , be careful while going to live animal markets protect yourself by avoiding direct contact with animals, and surfaces in contact with animals.
Also, avoid consuming raw and undercooked animal meat and prevent contamination of uncooked foods while handling raw meat, milk, or other animal organs.
SARS-CoV was associated with civet cats and MERS-CoV is transmitted by dromedary camels. As of March 25 2020 Possible Animal sources of COVID-19 have not yet been confirmed.
Can I catch COVID-19 from my Pet ?

To date, there is no evidence to prove a cat, dog, or any other pet can transmit coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 disease) to humans.
CDC said that it is aware of a small number of pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19.
Based on the limited information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low.
It appears that the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread from people to animals in some situations.
CDC said to treat pets as you would other human family members – do not let pets interact with people or animals outside the household. If a person inside the household becomes sick, isolate that person from everyone else, including pets.
This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.
How long can the virus survive on various surfaces ?

This information is not yet clear. Studies suggest the virus may persist on various surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This time interval may change according to the type and temperature of the surface and humidity of the environment. You can clean the infected surface using a simple disinfectant to kill the virus. Also clean your hands regularly & Thoroughly with an alcohol-based hand santizer or wash them with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.
Is it safe to accept a package from a COVID-19 infected area ?

Yes. The probability of your package getting the virus from an infected person is low as they are often travelled long distances, moved frequently, and exposed to various conditions.
Is there anything I should not do ?
Avoid the following as far as possible.
What you should do ?
Whatever be the circumstances, if you experience symptoms of COVID-19, try to find medical care as soon as possible before your symptoms become harder to manage. Also, remember to reveal your latest travel history with concerned authorities.
References
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 WikipediaNovel Coronavirus WHO
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) CDC