Coronavirus and COVID-19: What They Are, What's the Difference, and How You Can Respond

On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, as cases have spiked around the world in the last two weeks outside of China, where the novel coronavirus originated. As of publication, WHO has documented 125,288 confirmed cases of the disease globally, and the spread of the disease has had serious impacts in the hardest-hit countries like Iran and Italy.

As in any situation, knowledge is power. In the interest of empowering people to respond to this pandemic, Teen Vogue has collected information from medical and public health authorities to explain some fundamental facts about coronavirus, COVID-19, and how the duo of virus and disease is spreading.

What are coronaviruses and how is this one different?

According to WHO, coronaviruses (also known as CoV in medical jargon) are a family of viruses that includes other notable examples like the virus that caused Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). They’re named for the Spanish word for “crown” because of the crown-like spikes all over their surface. While it has become common parlance to call the current outbreaks as caused by “coronavirus,” this is, technically speaking, like using the term “dog” to describe a pitbull; just as there are other forms of dogs than pitbulls, there are other forms of coronavirus than the one currently causing crises.

What makes this coronavirus different is that it's what medical experts call novel. As explained by WHO, this means this strain of virus has never been identified in humans before, meaning there is no existing knowledge on how to control this specific strain’s spread. Efforts to find a broader coronavirus vaccine have already been underway for years, and now, the novel coronavirus outbreak has prompted a serious push for vaccine research as medical experts rush to understand how it spreads and how to stop it.

What is COVID-19?

As explained by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 (an abbreviation of Coronavirus disease 2019) is the name for the illness caused by the novel coronavirus. In the same way that HIV is a virus and AIDs is the disease it causes, the novel coronavirus is a virus and COVID-19 is the disease it causes.

It’s believed that symptoms will start to appear within 14 days of infection. These symptoms include a fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. Severe complications can include pneumonia, organ failure, and death. Currently, WHO reports that roughly one in five people who contract the virus need hospitalization.

WHO data also indicates that, as of publication, 4,614 people have died of COVID-19. With 125,288 confirmed cases, that puts the death rate at around 3.3%. Despite that, the Associated Press reported on March 11 more than half of COVID-19 cases result in a recovery. For example, in China, where the bulk of global cases have been confirmed, more than 60,000 people had recovered out of more than 80,000 cases.

According to the CDC, the people at highest risk for serious complications from the disease are older adults and people with chronic conditions like heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes. Additionally, the CDC is advising that anyone who is immunocompromised (has a weakened immune system) could be at a higher risk for infection; they’ve asked doctors to prioritize available testing for people over 65, people with chronic health conditions, and the immunocompromised.

The intensive care that some patients require is its own risk factor for local public health systems. In northern Italy, an outbreak of more than 10,000 cases has stretched hospitals to the breaking point. The Atlantic extensively covered the difficult choices facing doctors in the region, where a lack of staff and supplies has apparently exacerbated the death toll. Vice News has also reported that in Lombard, the Italian city hit hardest, 12% of the infected are health-care workers.

How are the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 spread?

According to the CDC, the current understanding is that the novel coronavirus in question is spread by close physical contact and respiratory droplets — spit, snot, or other fluids that might be released by coughing or sneezing — from someone with COVID-19. While the current understanding is that the virus is not communicable through the air, WHO reports that the respiratory fluids it lives in can infect people by remaining on a surface where they land and then being picked up through physical contact.

The CDC also believes that it is easiest to spread the virus when a person is especially sick with COVID-19, though there is evidence that it can be spread even when someone is displaying no symptoms. Significantly, the CDC has also reported that there is “community spread,” a public health term that means people infected with the virus cannot trace how they contracted it. The most recent available CDC data at time of publication indicates that, of 1,215 cases of COVID-19 in the U.S., 125 are travel-related, 102 came from close contact with someone infected, and 988 are still under investigation.

What are strategies for preventing its spread?

The medical wisdom to prevent spread right now is still fairly simple. The CDC recommends regular hand-washing using proper methods (20 seconds with soap and water), using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content if soap and water are not available, and avoiding touching your face (especially your eyes, ears, nose, and mouth) with unwashed hands. You should also wash your hands before you do anything like eat or apply makeup to your face.

The CDC is also advising what some are calling “social distancing,” which basically just means staying at least six feet away from people who are sick. If there is an outbreak reported in your community, it means staying away from people all together. This is especially true for people in higher-risk groups, like older adults and people with chronic health issues or weakened immune systems.

In China, where the first major outbreak took place in Wuhan (a city in Hubei province), recent official figures appear to indicate that the government has been able to control the virus. The New York Times reported that Chinese officials say this was accomplished through a lockdown of 60 million people in Hubei (a strategy now being employed in the entirety of Italy), strict quaratines, and travel restrictions. As the Times noted, the true test of the success of these measures will be when these harsh policies are lifted and life returns to normal.

What should I do if I feel sick?

CDC guidelines recommend several steps in the event that you feel sick at this point, regardless of whether or not it’s confirmed you’re infected with coronavirus. These include staying home if you feel sick, wearing a face mask if you feel sick and have to be around other people (as in sharing a room or a vehicle), and regularly cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces. The CDC recommends common disinfectants like bleach and alcohol for use.

Additionally, if you cough or sneeze at all, cover your mouth or do so into a tissue that you dispose of immediately. Then wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and hot water or, if they aren’t available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

If you’re not feeling well, the CDC recommends avoiding public areas and public transportation, limit your contact with other people or pets in your home, use a separate bathroom from others if possible, avoid sharing household items like dishes, regularly clean and disinfect surfaces.

The CDC also advises that you should only leave your house if you need medical attention. There is a real risk of overloading hospitals in serious outbreak scenarios, and medical providers have asked people to call ahead before coming to the emergency room because, barring necessary emergency intervention, some cases can be handled through isolation at home and will not require hospitalization. The CDC says it’s best to make an appointment with your doctor, let them know if you have concerns about COVID-19, and wear a face mask if you do go, as that can help limit the spread of the disease.

Should I be freaking out?

The short answer for most people is, no. Panic is rarely a helpful response, and managing anxiety brought on by the news coverage of coronavirus can be beneficial.

Based on what we know right now, most people — especially young people in good health — will recover from a case of COVID-19 even if it continues to spread in the United States. If you are at higher risk because you’re older or have health issues, take preventative measures but don’t succumb to overwhelming anxiety, as anxiety itself can have physical symptoms. Self-care in a pandemic means taking steps to prevent infection and spread, but also maintaining your mental health.

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