Human coronavirus

Human coronavirus refers to a family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The name 'coronavirus' is derived from the Latin corona, meaning crown or halo, which refers to the characteristic appearance of the virus particles (virions): they have a fringe of large, bulbous surface projections creating an image reminiscent of a royal crown or of the solar corona.

Types of Human Coronavirus

There are several types of human coronaviruses, including:

• 229E (alpha coronavirus)
• NL63 (alpha coronavirus)
• OC43 (beta coronavirus)
• HKU1 (beta coronavirus)
• MERS-CoV (the beta coronavirus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS)
• SARS-CoV (the beta coronavirus that causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS)
• SARS-CoV-2 (the novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19)

Symptoms

Symptoms of coronavirus infections can range from mild to severe. For the common types of coronaviruses (229E, NL63, OC43, HKU1), symptoms are typically mild and include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue

However, infections with SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 can lead to severe respiratory illness, including pneumonia, and have been associated with higher rates of mortality.

Transmission

Human coronaviruses are most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:

• The air by coughing and sneezing
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands

Prevention

Preventive measures to reduce the chance of infection include:

• Regular hand washing with soap and water
• Covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
• Avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for coronavirus infection. Individuals infected with a human coronavirus are advised to:

• Rest and avoid overexertion
• Drink enough water
• Avoid smoking and smoky areas
• Take over-the-counter medication to reduce pain and fever

History

Human coronaviruses were first identified in the mid-1960s. The most recent, SARS-CoV-2, was identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. It has since led to a global pandemic, known as COVID-19.

See Also

• Virology
• Epidemiology
• Pandemic
• Vaccine