Why is it called COVID-19? COVID-19 stands for coronavirus disease 2019. It refers to the disease that arises with the specific type of coronavirus that emerged in late 2019. This virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is also known as the novel coronavirus 2019. Although it is commonly referred to as the coronavirus, this does not differentiate the current COVID-19 from other diseases caused by the same family of viruses. COVID-19 is only one strain of coronavirus and there are many other strains. It is not a new virus family. Some coronaviruses have also caused other serious and deadly diseases like SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) which also causes a lung infection (pneumonia) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome). SARS first emerged in 2002 and MERS in 2012. Is COVID-19 the same as a ‘bad flu’? While there are some similarities, COVID-19 is not the seasonal flu. It is also not just another ‘bad strain of the flu’ or a new type of swine flu (H1N1). Both influenza and coronavirus are viruses. Both can be easily spread through droplets and person-to-person contact. Both cause respiratory infections. However, COVID-19 is an entirely different virus from the flu virus. Symptoms … Continue reading Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)