the basics
coronavirus:
In late December of 2019, a disease-tracking system reported mysterious clusters of viral pneumonia in Wuhan, China [1]. Less than a month later, this outbreak of pneumonia became attributed to a complication of a novel virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This virus leads to the disease that is currently taking a heavy toll on individuals all across the globe, known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
written & illustrated by emily sun July 24, 2020
what’s the difference between COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2? Although COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 are commonly thrown together in the media, they are not interchangeable. SARS-CoV-2 is the name of the specific virus which causes COVID-19. Wait, there’s a different name for the virus and the disease? It may sound baffling at first, but there is a rationale for this naming system. Viruses refer specifically to the germs that hijack host cells in order to replicate within them, and they are only composed of two things: genetic material and an outer envelope formed by organic molecules [2]. Virus names inform scientists about the specific genetic structure of virus species, facilitating the development of drug treatment and vaccinations [3]. For example, SARS-CoV-2 is named after the SARSCoV virus due to their genetic similarities, but they cause distinct illnesses and should not be confused [3]. A germ’s capacity to cause infection in host cells is known as its pathogenicity, and the more pathogenic a virus is, the higher its ability to invade cells [4]. Most viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, are considered
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pathogenic in nature. Initially, when a virus enters the body, the immune system tries to fight it off; if a virus disrupts the normal bodily functions, however, the host may feel unwell— this condition is referred to as the “disease” caused by the virus. Disease names like “COVID-19” tend to be more familiar to the public than their virus counterparts and are typically used for classifying factors such as spread and transmissibility [3].
where did coronavirus get its name? As it turns out, the term “coronavirus” did not come from a beer. Its title comes from the crown, or “corona,” which seems to surround the virus when viewed under a microscope [5]. This appearance is due to protein-based spikes, or peplomers, on the outer layer virus envelope, which bind to specific receptors in host cells [5]. “Coronavirus” is an umbrella term referring to a whole group of viruses with this unique feature, and the new SARS-CoV-2 is just one of the seven known human coronaviruses [6].
