A coronavirus can cause respiratory symptoms similar to a cold or the flu. The virus responsible for the current outbreak is called SARS-CoV-2. It’s a cousin of the one that caused an outbreak in 2003 that was referred to as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The new virus spreads more easily and faster than the one which 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 suffering from 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 touch it on surfaces. Infected people can become infected after touching an infected individual or surfaces and breathing the virus in or putting their hand in their mouth either through their nose or eyes. Some people don’t online courses show any symptoms and may not even know they have the virus, but others could become sick.

The majority of people get a coronavirus once or twice in their lives, typically as children. The majority of cases are mild and resolve on their own, however some can be severe or even fatal. Scientists are currently trying to find an effective treatment.