BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuCoronavirusCoronavirus - SARS; Coronavirus - 2019-nCoV; Coronavirus - COVID-19; Coronavirus - Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Coronavirus - Middle East respiratory syndrome; Coronavirus - MERSCoronaviruses are a family of viruses. Infection with these viruses generally causes mild to moderate respiratory illnesses, such as the common cold. Some coronaviruses cause severe illness that can lead to pneumonia, and even death.Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Causes There are many different coronaviruses. They affect both humans and animals. Common human coronaviruses cause mild to moderate illnesses, such as the common cold. Common coldThe common cold most often causes a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. You may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, or other symptoms....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersSome animal coronaviruses evolve (mutate) and are passed from animals to humans. They may then spread through person-to-person contact. The coronaviruses that spread from animals to humans can sometimes cause more severe illness:Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a serious form of pneumonia. It is caused by the SARS-CoV coronavirus. No cases in humans have been reported since 2004. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARSSevere acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a serious form of pneumonia. Infection with the SARS virus causes acute respiratory distress (severe bre...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article PneumoniaPneumonia is inflamed or swollen lung tissue due to infection with a germ. Viral pneumonia is caused by a virus.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a severe respiratory illness. MERS is caused by the MERS-CoV coronavirus. About 30% of people who have gotten this illness have died. Some people only have mild symptoms. MERS continues to cause illness in humans, mainly in the Arabian Peninsula. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a severe respiratory illness that mainly involves the upper respiratory tract. It causes fever, coughing,...Read Article Now Book Mark Article COVID-19 can be a respiratory illness that causes cold or flu-like symptoms, but it can also affect other parts of your body. It is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). COVID-19 can be a mild to serious illness and even fatal. COVID-19 is a serious public health threat globally and in the United States.COVID-19Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that causes fever, coughing, and shortness of breath, but many other symptoms can occur....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Many coronaviruses originate in bats, which can infect other animals. SARS-CoV spread from civet cats, while MERS-CoV spread from camels. The latest virus, SARS-CoV-2, is also suspected to originate from animals. It is from the same family of viruses as SARS-CoV, which is why they have similar names. There are many other coronaviruses circulating in animals, but they haven't spread to humans. Once a person has been infected by a coronavirus, the infection can spread to a healthy person (person-to-person transmission). You can catch coronavirus infection when:An infected person sneezes, coughs, or blows their nose near you and releases the virus into the air (droplet infection) You touch, hug, shake hands with, or kiss an infected person Symptoms Human coronaviruses that cause the common cold spread from person-to-person. Symptoms develop in 2 to 14 days. These include: Runny nose Runny noseA stuffy or congested nose occurs when the tissues lining it become swollen. The swelling is due to inflamed blood vessels. The problem may also in...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sore throat Sore throatPharyngitis, or sore throat, is discomfort, pain, or scratchiness in the throat. It often makes it painful to swallow.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sneezing SneezingA sneeze is a sudden, forceful, uncontrolled burst of air through the nose and mouth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nasal congestion Fever, often with chills Fever, often with chillsFever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Headache Body aches CoughCoughCoughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. But too much coughing may mean you have a disease or disorder. Some coughs are d...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exposure to MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 can cause severe symptoms. These include: Nausea and vomiting Shortness of breath Shortness of breathBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diarrhea Blood in cough Blood in coughCoughing up blood is the spitting up of blood or bloody mucus from the lungs and throat (respiratory tract). Hemoptysis is the medical term for cough...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Death Severe coronavirus infection may cause: Croup CroupCroup is an infection of the upper airways that causes breathing difficulty and a "barking" cough. Croup is due to swelling around the vocal cords. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pneumonia PneumoniaPneumonia is inflamed or swollen lung tissue due to infection with a germ. Viral pneumonia is caused by a virus.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bronchiolitis BronchiolitisBronchiolitis is swelling and mucus buildup in the smallest air passages in the lungs (bronchioles). It is usually due to a viral infection....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article BronchitisBronchitisAcute bronchitis is swelling and inflamed tissue in the bronchi, the main passages that carry air to the lungs. This swelling narrows the airways, w...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms may be severe in certain people:Children Older adults People with chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, chronic kidney disease, heart diseases or HIV infection People with respiratory illnesses such as asthma or COPD Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsers Exams and Tests Your health care provider may take a sample of the following for laboratory testing:Nasal swab (from the nostrils) or throat swab for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2 or other viruses Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testTesting for the virus that causes COVID-19 involves taking a mucus sample from your upper respiratory tract. This test is used to diagnose COVID-19....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood tests Sputum cultureStool and urine samples may also be taken in some cases. You may need further testing if your infection is severe. These tests may include: Blood chemistry tests Blood chemistry testsA comprehensive metabolic panel is a group of blood tests. They provide an overall picture of your body's chemical balance and metabolism. Metaboli...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest x-ray or chest CT scan Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest CT scanA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Complete blood count (CBC)Complete blood count (CBC)A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diagnostic tests may not be available for all kinds of coronavirus. Treatment At this time, there is no specific treatment for coronavirus infection except for SARS-CoV-2. For a coronavirus infection not due to SARS-CoV-2, medicines are given only to ease your symptoms. Experimental treatments are sometimes used in severe cases. Mild coronavirus infections, such as the common cold, will go away in a few days with rest and self care at home. Rest and self care at homeColds are very common. A visit with your health care provider is often not needed, and most colds get better in about a week. Some symptoms, such a...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article If you are suspected to have a severe coronavirus infection and are treated in a hospital, you may: Have to wear a face mask Face maskIn places where respiratory viruses are spreading, wearing a face mask in public helps protect other people from possible infection with viruses such...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stay in an isolated room or ICU for treatment Treatment for severe infections may include:Antibiotics, only if you also have bacterial pneumonia Antiviral medicines Steroids Oxygen, breathing support (mechanical ventilation), or chest therapy Treatment for COVID-19, the illness due to SARS-CoV-2, may involve additional antiviral medicines.COVID-19Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that causes fever, coughing, and shortness of breath, but many other symptoms can occur....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) Common colds due to coronavirus usually resolve on their own. Severe coronavirus infections may require hospitalization and breathing support. Rarely, certain severe coronavirus infections may lead to death, especially in older people, children, or people with chronic conditions. Possible Complications Coronavirus infections may lead to bronchitis or pneumonia. Some severe forms may cause organ failure, and even death. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 may lead to long COVID in some people.Long COVIDMost people who have COVID-19 recover completely. Some people continue to have health problems after having COVID-19. This is called long COVID. Lo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have: Come in contact with a person with a severe coronavirus infection Travelled to a place which had an outbreak of a coronavirus infection and have developed common cold symptoms, shortness of breath, nausea, or diarrhea Prevention Follow these steps to lower your risk of infection: Avoid contact with people who have coronavirus infection. Avoid travelling to places that have an outbreak of coronavirus infection. Wash your hands properly or clean them with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Wash your hands properlyWashing your hands often during the day is an important way to help reduce the spread of germs and prevent illness. Learn when you should wash your ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve (not your hands) when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissue away. Do not share food, drink, or utensils. Clean commonly touched surfaces with a disinfectant.There are vaccines that can prevent severe disease with COVID-19. Contact your local health department to find out about availability in your area. Information about COVID-19 vaccines is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html.VaccinesCOVID-19 vaccines are used to prepare the body's immune system to protect against COVID-19. Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a 2023-2024 u...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article If you are travelling, talk to your provider about:Being up-to-date with vaccines Taking self-test kits Self-test kitsNOTE: This page has content that may be inconsistent with new CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance. This is because the CDC has not updated their guidance...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Carrying medicinesOpen ReferencesReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention website. COVID-19: About COVID-19. www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/about-covid-19.html. Updated April 9, 2024. Accessed May 7, 2024. Havers FP, Kirking H, Plumb ID. PRE-2019 coronaviruses. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 334.Perlman S, McIntosh K. Coronaviruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 155.World Health Organization website. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1. Accessed January 30, 2024.AllVideoImagesTogCommon coldAnimation Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersCommon cold - Animation Most people have a general idea that when they start sneezing, their nose is runny, and their throat is scratchy, they're getting a cold. But what do you do about it? The common cold is something very common that people usually get on average three or more times during a year. And it is a virus that's primarily in the nose. The three main symptoms of a cold are sneezing, nasal stuffiness, and runny nose. You may have other symptoms, like having a fever of 100? or 101?, or you may have some tickling or scratchiness in the back of your throat. In fact, that may be the very first symptom, a little scratch in the back of your throat. Then after a couple days the nasal discharge tends to turn a little bit darker, maybe a little greener. Then after about a week, you're all the way better. So, what's the best way to treat a cold? The first thing you need is plenty of rest and fluids. Water, juice, and clear broth can help replace fluids you may lose during a fever. Chicken soup is another great choice, in fact, it can help relieve congestion. In short, chicken soup really is good food. Over-the-counter oral cold and cough medicines may help ease adult symptoms, but they don't treat the virus that caused your cold. In fact, so far there is no cure for the common cold. ALSO, don't give a child under 6 any cold medicines, they won't help your child, and they may have serious side effects. And antibiotics? They won't help a cold, and, if you take them too often, antibiotics can break down your body's ability to benefit from them in the future when you may really need them, such as when you get the flu. In general, remember that getting plenty of rest and fluids is the best way to help you deal with your cold symptoms. Eventually, your cold symptoms usually go away, probably in about a week. If you still feel sick after a week, see your doctor to rule out a sinus infection, allergies, or any other medical problem.PneumoniaAnimation Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersPneumonia - Animation Everyone coughs from time to time. You might pick up a cold, have an allergy, or just get a tickle from something irritating your throat. But if you're really hacking and coughing up yellow or green mucus, and you've also got a fever, chills, and shortness of breath, you may have picked up a more serious infection, called pneumonia. And sometimes pneumonia's symptoms aren't as obvious. Pneumonia is caused by an infection in your lung. Bacteria or viruses like these can sometimes get into your lungs through your nose or mouth and make you sick. You're more likely to get pneumonia if you've got a problem with your immune system that makes it harder to fight off infections. You're also at greater risk if you've got a lung disease like COPD or cystic fibrosis, you've recently had the flu, or you're exposed to cigarette smoke. People who live in nursing homes are also more likely to get pneumonia. With pneumonia, you may cough up greenish or yellow phlegm. You also may run a fever and have the chills. Pneumonia can make it hard to breathe. You may feel like you've run up a flight of stairs when you were just sitting still. Your doctor can tell that you have pneumonia and not just a cold by listening with a stethoscope for crackle sounds in your chest. You may need a chest x-ray or blood tests to know for sure that you have pneumonia. If bacteria caused your pneumonia, your doctor can give you antibiotics, drugs that kill bacteria. Keep taking the antibiotic until you finish the whole prescription so you don't re-infect yourself. To help loosen all of that mucus clogging your lungs, breathe in the warm mist from a humidifier and drink plenty of water. Take it easy too. Don't try to run back to work and infect everyone else. Rest until you feel better. Whatever you do, don't smoke, it will only make your pneumonia worse. If your pneumonia is really severe or you have another serious health problem, your doctor may recommend that you get treated in the hospital. While there, you'll get antibiotics and fluids through a vein. You may also be given oxygen to help you breathe easier. The best way to deal with pneumonia is to avoid getting it in the first place. Older adults, children, and people with serious conditions like diabetes, asthma, cancer, and emphysema should talk to their doctor about getting vaccinated against pneumonia and the illnesses that cause it. Once you get treated, your pneumonia should clear up within a couple of weeks. Your doctor may want to check your lungs to make sure they're clear. Sometimes pneumonia can lead to serious lung complications, so call your doctor right away if your breathing problems get worse, you have chest pain, or you cough up blood.Vacation health careAnimation Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersVacation health care - Animation Planning ahead of time can make your travels smoother and help you avoid problems. Let's talk today about vacation health care. Always prepare in advance for health problems you might experience when you travel. Ask your health insurance carrier what they will cover or pay for, and consider buying traveler's insurance when you travel abroad. If your children are not traveling with you, leave a signed consent-to-treat form with their caretaker. And if you are taking medications, talk to your health care provider before leaving. Make sure you carry your medications in your carry-on bag, never in your luggage. Research the health care in the country you are visiting. And if you can, find out where you would go if you needed medical help. So, what should you pack? Well, you'll want to bring several important items on your trip. Pack a first aid kit, immunization records, insurance ID cards, and medical records for any chronic illnesses or recent medical surgery. Bring a list of the names and phone numbers of your pharmacist and health care providers. Pack any nonprescription medications you might need, along with sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. So, what do you do on the road? When you travel, know what steps you need to take to prevent different diseases and infections. This includes how to avoid mosquito bites, what foods you can eat safely, where you can eat safely, how to drink water and other liquids, and proper hand washing. If you are visiting an area where traveler's diarrhea is common, know how to prevent and treat it. Be aware of automobile safety and use seat belts when you travel. Upon arriving at your destination, check the local emergency number. If you're traveling a long way, expect your body to adjust to a new time zone at about the rate of 1 hour per day. If you're traveling with children, make sure they know the name and telephone number of your hotel, just in case they get separated from you. Write this information down and put it in their pocket. Give them enough money to make a phone call, and make sure they know how to use phones if you are visiting a foreign country. As always, a little preparation goes a long way to preventing problems.Coronavirus - illustration Coronaviruses are a family of viruses. Infection with these viruses can cause mild to moderate respiratory illnesses such as the common cold. Some coronaviruses may cause severe illness and lead to pneumonia or even death.CoronavirusillustrationPneumonia - illustration Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by an infection. Many different organisms can cause it, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Pneumonia is a common illness that affects millions of people each year in the United States. The symptoms of pneumonia range from very mild to very severe, even fatal. The severity depends on the type of organism causing pneumonia as well as the age and underlying health of the individual.PneumoniaillustrationCold symptoms - illustration Colds are caused by a virus and can occur year-round. The common cold generally involves a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. Other symptoms include sore throat, cough, and headache. A cold usually lasts about 7 days, with perhaps a few lingering symptoms such as a cough for another week.Cold symptomsillustrationRespiratory system - illustration Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.Respiratory systemillustrationUpper respiratory tract - illustration The major passages and structures of the upper respiratory tract include the nose or nostrils, nasal cavity, mouth, throat (pharynx), and voice box (larynx). The respiratory system is lined with a mucous membrane that secretes mucus. The mucus traps smaller particles like pollen or smoke. Hairlike structures called cilia line the mucous membrane and move the particles trapped in the mucus out of the nose. Inhaled air is moistened, warmed, and cleansed by the tissue that lines the nasal cavity.Upper respiratory tractillustrationLower respiratory tract - illustration The major passages and structures of the lower respiratory tract include the windpipe (trachea) and within the lungs, the bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. Deep in the lungs, each bronchus divides into secondary and tertiary bronchi, which continue to branch to smaller airways called the bronchioles. The bronchioles end in air sacs called the alveoli. Alveoli are bunched together into clusters to form alveolar sacs. Gas exchange occurs on the surface of each alveolus by a network of capillaries carrying blood that has come through veins from other parts of the body.Lower respiratory tractillustrationCommon coldAnimation Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersCommon cold - Animation Most people have a general idea that when they start sneezing, their nose is runny, and their throat is scratchy, they're getting a cold. But what do you do about it? The common cold is something very common that people usually get on average three or more times during a year. And it is a virus that's primarily in the nose. The three main symptoms of a cold are sneezing, nasal stuffiness, and runny nose. You may have other symptoms, like having a fever of 100? or 101?, or you may have some tickling or scratchiness in the back of your throat. In fact, that may be the very first symptom, a little scratch in the back of your throat. Then after a couple days the nasal discharge tends to turn a little bit darker, maybe a little greener. Then after about a week, you're all the way better. So, what's the best way to treat a cold? The first thing you need is plenty of rest and fluids. Water, juice, and clear broth can help replace fluids you may lose during a fever. Chicken soup is another great choice, in fact, it can help relieve congestion. In short, chicken soup really is good food. Over-the-counter oral cold and cough medicines may help ease adult symptoms, but they don't treat the virus that caused your cold. In fact, so far there is no cure for the common cold. ALSO, don't give a child under 6 any cold medicines, they won't help your child, and they may have serious side effects. And antibiotics? They won't help a cold, and, if you take them too often, antibiotics can break down your body's ability to benefit from them in the future when you may really need them, such as when you get the flu. In general, remember that getting plenty of rest and fluids is the best way to help you deal with your cold symptoms. Eventually, your cold symptoms usually go away, probably in about a week. If you still feel sick after a week, see your doctor to rule out a sinus infection, allergies, or any other medical problem.PneumoniaAnimation Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersPneumonia - Animation Everyone coughs from time to time. You might pick up a cold, have an allergy, or just get a tickle from something irritating your throat. But if you're really hacking and coughing up yellow or green mucus, and you've also got a fever, chills, and shortness of breath, you may have picked up a more serious infection, called pneumonia. And sometimes pneumonia's symptoms aren't as obvious. Pneumonia is caused by an infection in your lung. Bacteria or viruses like these can sometimes get into your lungs through your nose or mouth and make you sick. You're more likely to get pneumonia if you've got a problem with your immune system that makes it harder to fight off infections. You're also at greater risk if you've got a lung disease like COPD or cystic fibrosis, you've recently had the flu, or you're exposed to cigarette smoke. People who live in nursing homes are also more likely to get pneumonia. With pneumonia, you may cough up greenish or yellow phlegm. You also may run a fever and have the chills. Pneumonia can make it hard to breathe. You may feel like you've run up a flight of stairs when you were just sitting still. Your doctor can tell that you have pneumonia and not just a cold by listening with a stethoscope for crackle sounds in your chest. You may need a chest x-ray or blood tests to know for sure that you have pneumonia. If bacteria caused your pneumonia, your doctor can give you antibiotics, drugs that kill bacteria. Keep taking the antibiotic until you finish the whole prescription so you don't re-infect yourself. To help loosen all of that mucus clogging your lungs, breathe in the warm mist from a humidifier and drink plenty of water. Take it easy too. Don't try to run back to work and infect everyone else. Rest until you feel better. Whatever you do, don't smoke, it will only make your pneumonia worse. If your pneumonia is really severe or you have another serious health problem, your doctor may recommend that you get treated in the hospital. While there, you'll get antibiotics and fluids through a vein. You may also be given oxygen to help you breathe easier. The best way to deal with pneumonia is to avoid getting it in the first place. Older adults, children, and people with serious conditions like diabetes, asthma, cancer, and emphysema should talk to their doctor about getting vaccinated against pneumonia and the illnesses that cause it. Once you get treated, your pneumonia should clear up within a couple of weeks. Your doctor may want to check your lungs to make sure they're clear. Sometimes pneumonia can lead to serious lung complications, so call your doctor right away if your breathing problems get worse, you have chest pain, or you cough up blood.Vacation health careAnimation Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersVacation health care - Animation Planning ahead of time can make your travels smoother and help you avoid problems. Let's talk today about vacation health care. Always prepare in advance for health problems you might experience when you travel. Ask your health insurance carrier what they will cover or pay for, and consider buying traveler's insurance when you travel abroad. If your children are not traveling with you, leave a signed consent-to-treat form with their caretaker. And if you are taking medications, talk to your health care provider before leaving. Make sure you carry your medications in your carry-on bag, never in your luggage. Research the health care in the country you are visiting. And if you can, find out where you would go if you needed medical help. So, what should you pack? Well, you'll want to bring several important items on your trip. Pack a first aid kit, immunization records, insurance ID cards, and medical records for any chronic illnesses or recent medical surgery. Bring a list of the names and phone numbers of your pharmacist and health care providers. Pack any nonprescription medications you might need, along with sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. So, what do you do on the road? When you travel, know what steps you need to take to prevent different diseases and infections. This includes how to avoid mosquito bites, what foods you can eat safely, where you can eat safely, how to drink water and other liquids, and proper hand washing. If you are visiting an area where traveler's diarrhea is common, know how to prevent and treat it. Be aware of automobile safety and use seat belts when you travel. Upon arriving at your destination, check the local emergency number. If you're traveling a long way, expect your body to adjust to a new time zone at about the rate of 1 hour per day. If you're traveling with children, make sure they know the name and telephone number of your hotel, just in case they get separated from you. Write this information down and put it in their pocket. Give them enough money to make a phone call, and make sure they know how to use phones if you are visiting a foreign country. As always, a little preparation goes a long way to preventing problems.Coronavirus - illustration Coronaviruses are a family of viruses. Infection with these viruses can cause mild to moderate respiratory illnesses such as the common cold. Some coronaviruses may cause severe illness and lead to pneumonia or even death.CoronavirusillustrationPneumonia - illustration Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by an infection. Many different organisms can cause it, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Pneumonia is a common illness that affects millions of people each year in the United States. The symptoms of pneumonia range from very mild to very severe, even fatal. The severity depends on the type of organism causing pneumonia as well as the age and underlying health of the individual.PneumoniaillustrationCold symptoms - illustration Colds are caused by a virus and can occur year-round. The common cold generally involves a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. Other symptoms include sore throat, cough, and headache. A cold usually lasts about 7 days, with perhaps a few lingering symptoms such as a cough for another week.Cold symptomsillustrationRespiratory system - illustration Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.Respiratory systemillustrationUpper respiratory tract - illustration The major passages and structures of the upper respiratory tract include the nose or nostrils, nasal cavity, mouth, throat (pharynx), and voice box (larynx). The respiratory system is lined with a mucous membrane that secretes mucus. The mucus traps smaller particles like pollen or smoke. Hairlike structures called cilia line the mucous membrane and move the particles trapped in the mucus out of the nose. Inhaled air is moistened, warmed, and cleansed by the tissue that lines the nasal cavity.Upper respiratory tractillustrationLower respiratory tract - illustration The major passages and structures of the lower respiratory tract include the windpipe (trachea) and within the lungs, the bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. Deep in the lungs, each bronchus divides into secondary and tertiary bronchi, which continue to branch to smaller airways called the bronchioles. The bronchioles end in air sacs called the alveoli. Alveoli are bunched together into clusters to form alveolar sacs. Gas exchange occurs on the surface of each alveolus by a network of capillaries carrying blood that has come through veins from other parts of the body.Lower respiratory tractillustrationRelated Information Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)(Condition) Review Date: 2/22/2023 Reviewed By: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI.Internal review and update on 01/31/2024 by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
CoronavirusCoronavirus - SARS; Coronavirus - 2019-nCoV; Coronavirus - COVID-19; Coronavirus - Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Coronavirus - Middle East respiratory syndrome; Coronavirus - MERSCoronaviruses are a family of viruses. Infection with these viruses generally causes mild to moderate respiratory illnesses, such as the common cold. Some coronaviruses cause severe illness that can lead to pneumonia, and even death.Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Causes There are many different coronaviruses. They affect both humans and animals. Common human coronaviruses cause mild to moderate illnesses, such as the common cold. Common coldThe common cold most often causes a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. You may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, or other symptoms....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersSome animal coronaviruses evolve (mutate) and are passed from animals to humans. They may then spread through person-to-person contact. The coronaviruses that spread from animals to humans can sometimes cause more severe illness:Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a serious form of pneumonia. It is caused by the SARS-CoV coronavirus. No cases in humans have been reported since 2004. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARSSevere acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a serious form of pneumonia. Infection with the SARS virus causes acute respiratory distress (severe bre...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article PneumoniaPneumonia is inflamed or swollen lung tissue due to infection with a germ. Viral pneumonia is caused by a virus.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a severe respiratory illness. MERS is caused by the MERS-CoV coronavirus. About 30% of people who have gotten this illness have died. Some people only have mild symptoms. MERS continues to cause illness in humans, mainly in the Arabian Peninsula. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a severe respiratory illness that mainly involves the upper respiratory tract. It causes fever, coughing,...Read Article Now Book Mark Article COVID-19 can be a respiratory illness that causes cold or flu-like symptoms, but it can also affect other parts of your body. It is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). COVID-19 can be a mild to serious illness and even fatal. COVID-19 is a serious public health threat globally and in the United States.COVID-19Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that causes fever, coughing, and shortness of breath, but many other symptoms can occur....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Many coronaviruses originate in bats, which can infect other animals. SARS-CoV spread from civet cats, while MERS-CoV spread from camels. The latest virus, SARS-CoV-2, is also suspected to originate from animals. It is from the same family of viruses as SARS-CoV, which is why they have similar names. There are many other coronaviruses circulating in animals, but they haven't spread to humans. Once a person has been infected by a coronavirus, the infection can spread to a healthy person (person-to-person transmission). You can catch coronavirus infection when:An infected person sneezes, coughs, or blows their nose near you and releases the virus into the air (droplet infection) You touch, hug, shake hands with, or kiss an infected person Symptoms Human coronaviruses that cause the common cold spread from person-to-person. Symptoms develop in 2 to 14 days. These include: Runny nose Runny noseA stuffy or congested nose occurs when the tissues lining it become swollen. The swelling is due to inflamed blood vessels. The problem may also in...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sore throat Sore throatPharyngitis, or sore throat, is discomfort, pain, or scratchiness in the throat. It often makes it painful to swallow.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sneezing SneezingA sneeze is a sudden, forceful, uncontrolled burst of air through the nose and mouth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nasal congestion Fever, often with chills Fever, often with chillsFever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Headache Body aches CoughCoughCoughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. But too much coughing may mean you have a disease or disorder. Some coughs are d...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exposure to MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 can cause severe symptoms. These include: Nausea and vomiting Shortness of breath Shortness of breathBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diarrhea Blood in cough Blood in coughCoughing up blood is the spitting up of blood or bloody mucus from the lungs and throat (respiratory tract). Hemoptysis is the medical term for cough...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Death Severe coronavirus infection may cause: Croup CroupCroup is an infection of the upper airways that causes breathing difficulty and a "barking" cough. Croup is due to swelling around the vocal cords. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pneumonia PneumoniaPneumonia is inflamed or swollen lung tissue due to infection with a germ. Viral pneumonia is caused by a virus.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bronchiolitis BronchiolitisBronchiolitis is swelling and mucus buildup in the smallest air passages in the lungs (bronchioles). It is usually due to a viral infection....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article BronchitisBronchitisAcute bronchitis is swelling and inflamed tissue in the bronchi, the main passages that carry air to the lungs. This swelling narrows the airways, w...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms may be severe in certain people:Children Older adults People with chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, chronic kidney disease, heart diseases or HIV infection People with respiratory illnesses such as asthma or COPD Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsers Exams and Tests Your health care provider may take a sample of the following for laboratory testing:Nasal swab (from the nostrils) or throat swab for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2 or other viruses Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testTesting for the virus that causes COVID-19 involves taking a mucus sample from your upper respiratory tract. This test is used to diagnose COVID-19....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood tests Sputum cultureStool and urine samples may also be taken in some cases. You may need further testing if your infection is severe. These tests may include: Blood chemistry tests Blood chemistry testsA comprehensive metabolic panel is a group of blood tests. They provide an overall picture of your body's chemical balance and metabolism. Metaboli...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest x-ray or chest CT scan Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest CT scanA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Complete blood count (CBC)Complete blood count (CBC)A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diagnostic tests may not be available for all kinds of coronavirus. Treatment At this time, there is no specific treatment for coronavirus infection except for SARS-CoV-2. For a coronavirus infection not due to SARS-CoV-2, medicines are given only to ease your symptoms. Experimental treatments are sometimes used in severe cases. Mild coronavirus infections, such as the common cold, will go away in a few days with rest and self care at home. Rest and self care at homeColds are very common. A visit with your health care provider is often not needed, and most colds get better in about a week. Some symptoms, such a...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article If you are suspected to have a severe coronavirus infection and are treated in a hospital, you may: Have to wear a face mask Face maskIn places where respiratory viruses are spreading, wearing a face mask in public helps protect other people from possible infection with viruses such...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stay in an isolated room or ICU for treatment Treatment for severe infections may include:Antibiotics, only if you also have bacterial pneumonia Antiviral medicines Steroids Oxygen, breathing support (mechanical ventilation), or chest therapy Treatment for COVID-19, the illness due to SARS-CoV-2, may involve additional antiviral medicines.COVID-19Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that causes fever, coughing, and shortness of breath, but many other symptoms can occur....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) Common colds due to coronavirus usually resolve on their own. Severe coronavirus infections may require hospitalization and breathing support. Rarely, certain severe coronavirus infections may lead to death, especially in older people, children, or people with chronic conditions. Possible Complications Coronavirus infections may lead to bronchitis or pneumonia. Some severe forms may cause organ failure, and even death. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 may lead to long COVID in some people.Long COVIDMost people who have COVID-19 recover completely. Some people continue to have health problems after having COVID-19. This is called long COVID. Lo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have: Come in contact with a person with a severe coronavirus infection Travelled to a place which had an outbreak of a coronavirus infection and have developed common cold symptoms, shortness of breath, nausea, or diarrhea Prevention Follow these steps to lower your risk of infection: Avoid contact with people who have coronavirus infection. Avoid travelling to places that have an outbreak of coronavirus infection. Wash your hands properly or clean them with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Wash your hands properlyWashing your hands often during the day is an important way to help reduce the spread of germs and prevent illness. Learn when you should wash your ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve (not your hands) when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissue away. Do not share food, drink, or utensils. Clean commonly touched surfaces with a disinfectant.There are vaccines that can prevent severe disease with COVID-19. Contact your local health department to find out about availability in your area. Information about COVID-19 vaccines is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html.VaccinesCOVID-19 vaccines are used to prepare the body's immune system to protect against COVID-19. Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a 2023-2024 u...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article If you are travelling, talk to your provider about:Being up-to-date with vaccines Taking self-test kits Self-test kitsNOTE: This page has content that may be inconsistent with new CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance. This is because the CDC has not updated their guidance...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Carrying medicinesOpen ReferencesReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention website. COVID-19: About COVID-19. www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/about-covid-19.html. Updated April 9, 2024. Accessed May 7, 2024. Havers FP, Kirking H, Plumb ID. PRE-2019 coronaviruses. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 334.Perlman S, McIntosh K. Coronaviruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 155.World Health Organization website. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1. Accessed January 30, 2024.