Coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
2 (
SARS-CoV-
2).
Common symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Muscle pain, sputum production and sore throat are less common symptoms. While the majority of cases result in mild symptoms, some progress to pneumonia and multi-organ
failure. The deaths per number of diagnosed cases is estimated at between 1% and 5% but varies by age and other health conditions.
The infection is spread from one
person to others via respiratory droplets, often produced during coughing and sneezing. Time from exposure to onset of symptoms is generally between
2 and
14 days, with an average of 5 days.
Recommended measures to prevent the disease include frequent hand washing, maintaining distance from other
people and not touching one's
face. The use of masks is recommended for those who suspect they have the virus and their caregivers but not for the general public. There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19; management involves treatment of symptoms, supportive care and experimental measures.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the
2019–20 coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.
