The key difference between coronavirus and COVID 19 is that coronavirus is a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from common cold and pneumonia to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) while COVID 19 is a coronavirus disease, which began in December 2019, caused by a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Coronavirus is an ssRNA virus. It can cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses, including the common cold. Moreover, it can also cause the severe acute respiratory syndrome. In 2019, a novel coronavirus began to spread from China to many other countries. This virus is known as SARS-CoV-2, and it causes COVID 19 or coronavirus disease 19. At the moment, COVID 19 is a deadly disease, and it has become a big global health problem.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Coronavirus
3. What is Covid 19
4. Similarities Between Coronavirus and Covid 19
5. Side by Side Comparison – Coronavirus vs Covid 19 in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Coronavirus?
Coronavirus is a large family of viruses. The name ‘corona’ was given to this virus family since they have crown-like projections on their surface. Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses having helical-shaped nucleocapsids. They cause illnesses ranging from common cold and pneumonia to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). These viruses infect the respiratory tract of mammals, including humans. People of all ages are susceptible to this virus. They can also affect the gut of mammals. The common symptoms of coronavirus infection are a runny nose, cough, sore throat, and possibly a headache.
There are different types of coronavirus. According to records, there are six different types of human coronaviruses. Generally, coronavirus can be transmitted from animals to humans. When people have weakened immune systems, this virus spreads from person to person through droplets carrying the virus. Therefore, touching or shaking hands with an infected person, making contact with objects having the virus, etc. can cause the spread of the virus.
What is Covid 19?
COVID 19 or coronavirus disease 2019 is a virus disease currently prevailing and spreading in the world. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the infectious agent of this disease. It is a novel coronavirus. SARS-CoV-2 is genetically related to the coronavirus responsible for the SARS outbreak of 2003. But two viruses are different from each other. It began spreading among the people in December 2019. It was initially reported in the city of Wuhan, China. Then it was reported outside China, in Thailand and Japan.
Currently, COVID 19 is reported in many more countries all over the world. Hence, it is considered as a global problem now. According to the situation report 50 published on 10th March 2020 by World Health Organization (WHO), there are 113,702 infected persons around the world, and the number of total deaths from COVID 19 is 4012. The highest number of infected persons and deaths are reported from China.
After being exposed to the virus, people show symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath within 2 to 14 days. Adults are at higher risk of COVID 19. Moreover, people of all ages who are suffering from heart diseases, lung diseases and diabetes are susceptible to COVID 19.
COVID 19 spreads via two routes from person to person. It spreads through the droplets released to the air and between people who are in close contact with each other. We can get COVID 19 by touching the surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus and then touching our nose, mouth or eyes. Therefore, it is necessary to wash our hands with alcohol or soap frequently. We also need to wear masks properly covering the nose and mouth area.
What are the Similarities Between Coronavirus and Covid 19?
- COVID 19 is a disease caused by a coronavirus.
- Moreover, COVID 19 and coronavirus infections are mainly respiratory system diseases.
What is the Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19?
Coronavirus is a large family of viruses that causes illnesses ranging from mild to severe respiratory diseases. COVID 19 is a novel coronavirus disease first reported in December 2019 and an ongoing outbreak in the world. Coronavirus is a disease-causing agent while COVID 19 is a respiratory illness. So, this is the fundamental difference between coronavirus and COVID 19. Moreover, coronavirus causes mild to severe respiratory illnesses. But, COVID 19 can have potentially serious complications, such as troubled breathing and pneumonia.
Below tabulation summarizes the difference between coronavirus and COVID 19.
Summary – Coronavirus vs Covid 19
In summarizing the difference between coronavirus and COVID 19, coronaviruses are viruses that cause respiratory illnesses, including the common cold while COVID 19 is a coronavirus disease. SARS-CoV-2 is the infectious agent of COVID 19. COVID 19 can have potentially serious complications. Currently, it has become a major health threat in the world.
Reference:
1. “Naming the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and the Virus That Causes It.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, Available here.
2. Roser, Max, and Hannah Ritchie. “Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).” Our World in Data, 4 Mar. 2020, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “4893276” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2” By NIH Image Gallery (Public Domain) via Flickr
djohnuday says
thanks Dr.Samanthi, your article on corona virus and covid 19 (difference) in very informative
J says
Excellent article.
Nabin Chandra Sadhu says
It is very informative article. I could learn much about Corona virus and COVID-19. Thank you
Dr.Samanthi . Please continue to write this type of articles for the benefit of people.
Tracy J Billings says
Excuse me, Covid 19 is good for you. It is a mis identified exosome in your cells that are responsible for cleaning you out thus a part of your clean up crew. It is not a Pathogen like you say it is. You cannot live without it.
It is a CODE inserted into your white blood cells to filter out the toxins.
And furthermore? Do your flipping research, the correct way.
Betty Williams says
Tracy J Billings. . . If you ever get one of those viruses, you’re taking so lightly, write and tell me about it. . . .meanwhile I will take all the shots and do everything suggested, to keep me healthy. Scientists are working to keep people healthy, and I will believe and do whatever they say.
Chauvin says
You must remember who is funding the recearch regardless of what the recearch is on.
Science does not drive the discussion money is the driver and results are what is paid for.
Given good results there is enough money left over to do what the scientists want.
You are the product or in this case the victim of the product the “vax” is just another bite at your wallet and your rights.
The hatred of Trump drove the governments to attack us and the US.
We paid for c19 and a bill of goods cure that is not a cure but a cause of the varients.
Trump was going to ruin and jail the real theive’s the politicians.
Ask yourself will Joe and his drug addict son pay any taxes on the payoffs?
Will anyone go to jail?
I think not but you can bet we have been sold out to China Russia is salt in the wound.
You are willing to pay any price to be safe and secure beginning with your freedom and then mine, therefore you deserve neither.
The politicians will be giddy as you had nothing coming to begin with as you are the product that on sale.
Time to wake up and smell the treason before it turns to bodys piled high around you.
A childhood verse.
I will grind your bones to make my bread, bone meal blood meal are fertilizers.
The great battlefields turn usefully idiots into great communist farmlands the youth are using the symbols of old and know not there meaning it is one thing to be ignorant and quite another to be no more.