What Are Coronaviruses?
Coronaviruses are viruses that can make animals and people sick. They were discovered in the 1960s. In people, they usually cause breathing problems like the cold. The name “coronavirus” means “crown” in Latin because the virus looks like a crown under a microscope. Experts believe it came from animals.
Common symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, and trouble breathing. These are similar to cold or flu symptoms. Most people get only mild sickness. But older people or those with health problems can get very sick. Children usually have milder symptoms.
There is no special medicine or vaccine yet. Most people get better on their own. Doctors may give medicine to help with pain or fever. Antibiotics do not work because this is a virus.
The virus spreads between people by coughing, sneezing, touching, or touching things with the virus, then touching your face.
What is a coronavirus?