5 Big Questions About Coronavirus

It’s a virus that causes a disease known as COVID-19. The virus was first detected in Wuhan, China, late last year. It swept through the city, then spread to other parts of China. As people traveled, the virus spread to other countries, including the U.S.

The number of people infected by COVID-19 has been growing every day. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic. That is when a disease spreads quickly and affects many people in different parts of the world.

Across the world, governments are trying to control the outbreak. They are making rules against travel, closing businesses and schools, and teaching citizens how to stay safe.

A virus is a type of tiny germ that can cause an illness. There are thousands of different viruses. If you’ve ever had a runny or stuffy nose, there’s a good chance you caught a virus that causes the common cold. A more dangerous virus we hear about a lot is the influenza (in-floo-EN-zuh) virus, or the flu.

Sort of. Like the flu, this coronavirus causes a respiratory illness. That means it affects the nose, throat, and lungs. Both types of viruses cause some of the same symptoms, such as a cough and fever. Also, experts think the new coronavirus spreads much like other viruses do. When infected people sneeze or cough, they can release the virus into the air and infect other people nearby.

It’s brand-new, so doctors are still learning about it.

“Viruses are like a big family,” explains Dr. Mark Denison, a disease expert. “They are all related, but they have different personalities.”

Denison and other doctors are working to learn about the new virus’s “personality.” For example, they want to know more about how easily it spreads and how to fight it. The goal is to develop a vaccine. A vaccine is a shot that contains harmless parts of the virus. The vaccine is meant to train your body to recognize the virus and fight it off.

Health experts are working to have a vaccine for the new virus ready in about a year.

Health experts say that most kids are not at high risk for COVID-19. Even when children get infected with the virus, they do not usually get very sick. But the virus is a serious threat to adults, especially those who are over age 60 or who have certain medical problems, like lung disease.

Governments are taking steps to keep everyone as safe as possible. In many places, schools and businesses have been temporarily closed to keep people from spreading the virus. Many concerts, sports events, and other big gatherings have been canceled. In addition, people who might have been exposed to the virus are being told to stay in their homes. They will be checked to see if they get sick.

Experts say you should follow the rules in your community. You should also take the same steps you would to avoid getting or spreading a cold. Wash your hands frequently, and sneeze and cough into a tissue or your elbow. (See more tips below.)