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Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illness in animals and humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has led to the ongoing global pandemic.

Structure and Classification

Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses with a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome. They are characterized by the club-like spikes that project from their surface, an appearance reminiscent of the solar corona, from which their name derives. Coronaviruses belong to the family Coronaviridae in the order Nidovirales. They are broadly divided into four subgroups: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta coronaviruses. Human infections are predominantly caused by alpha and beta coronaviruses.

Transmission

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. For example, SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans. The transmission of COVID-19 is primarily through respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes within a close proximity of around six feet.

Symptoms

Symptoms of coronavirus infections can vary in severity from none at all to severe respiratory illness and death. Common signs include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.

Prevention and Treatment

Preventative measures to reduce the spread of coronaviruses include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs, and avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness. As of my last update, there is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for coronavirus infection. Treatment is supportive and based on the patient's clinical condition.

COVID-19 Pandemic

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. It has since spread globally, leading to an ongoing pandemic. Efforts to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 have been successful, with several vaccines being authorized for emergency use and mass vaccination campaigns underway in many countries.