A coronavirus infection can trigger respiratory symptoms that are similar to those of a cold or the flu. The virus that’s causing the current outbreak has been identified as SARS-CoV-2. It’s the same virus that caused an epidemic in 2003, dubbed severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The new virus is spreading more easily and quicker than the one that caused SARS. It is also spreading further than the SARS CoV-1 Coronavirus virus during its outbreak.

The disease spreads through very fine particles or droplets — aerosols — which are released when someone who is infected coughs, sneezes or talks. The virus may float in the air for hours and can be breathed the particles in or even touch them on surfaces. People can get infected by touching an infected object or person, then breathing into the virus or placing their hands in their eyes, mouth, or nose. Some people don’t exhibit any symptoms and may not even realize they have the disease. Others can become sick.

Almost everyone gets an infection caused by coronavirus at the very least at some point in their lives typically in the early years of childhood. The majority of cases are mild and go away on their own, but some are severe and even fatal. Scientists are currently trying to find a cure.