Coronavirus Guide
The coronavirus that has been spreading in the US and all over the world is the same virus that caused SARS. The virus is still causing illness and some people are extremely sick. The best way to prevent infection is to get vaccinated. You can also reduce the spread of the disease by implementing healthy practices. This includes a healthy indoor air flow and social distancing as well as wearing a mask when you go to public places. If you do contract a virus keeping up-to-date with your medications can help protect you from serious illness or even death.
A single SARS CoV-2 virus particle (called a virion) is around 80 nanometers in size. It has a protein layer that protects a ball with an RNA sequence that has the genetic code to make viruses. A spike protein on the surface of a virus connects to a receptor within healthy cells. This is usually a protein named ACE2. This allows the virus to infiltrate the cell. Once inside the host cell it can hijack the protein-making machinery of the host, causing tens or thousands of copies. These virions then exit the cell and infect other cells, generating more virus.
Infected patients may experience symptoms like a fever, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, as well as a cough. Certain people suffer more serious symptoms, including pneumonia or lung and heart problems and even heart attacks. Most people recover with no long-term effects.