COVID-19

COVID-19, short for “Coronavirus Disease 2019,” is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and subsequently led to a global pandemic. The disease primarily spreads through respiratory droplets from coughs, sneezes, or talking and can also spread by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus.

COVID-19 manifests with a wide range of symptoms, which may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Common symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, and gastrointestinal issues. While many people experience mild symptoms, the disease can lead to severe respiratory illness and complications, particularly in older adults and those with underlying health conditions.

To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, various public health measures have been implemented worldwide, including social distancing, mask-wearing, and vaccination campaigns. Vaccines have been developed and distributed to help reduce the severity of the disease and the transmission of the virus. COVID-19 has had significant social, economic, and health impacts globally, prompting ongoing research and public health responses.