What began at a wholesale food market in a central China city has now traveled the world, jumping from animals to humans and from obscurity to international headlines.
Here is what we know so far about the novel coronavirus, now named covid-19. wapo.st/38iQy1Y
Here is what we know so far about the novel coronavirus, now named covid-19. wapo.st/38iQy1Y
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that range from the common cold to much more serious diseases.
Symptoms of an infection range in severity from respiratory problems to cases of pneumonia, kidney failure and a buildup of fluid in the lungs. wapo.st/2x4ts29
Symptoms of an infection range in severity from respiratory problems to cases of pneumonia, kidney failure and a buildup of fluid in the lungs. wapo.st/2x4ts29
Public health officials say the novel coronavirus is less deadly than SARS. But epidemiologists are still trying to determine exactly how deadly covid-19 is.
About 2 percent of reported cases have been fatal, but experts say the death rate could be lower. wapo.st/2vvZbZu
About 2 percent of reported cases have been fatal, but experts say the death rate could be lower. wapo.st/2vvZbZu
Covid-19 spreads more easily than SARS and is similar to other coronaviruses that cause cold-like symptoms. It appears to be highly transmissible, and since cases are mild, the disease may be more widespread than current testing numbers suggest. wapo.st/2VHWxKX
Older people and those with illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure are at increased risk. Early studies have also suggested men are at greater risk. Symptoms can be mild, and the disease can clearly spread before people realize they’re sick wapo.st/3anDLNa
Symptoms are primarily respiratory. Coughing and shortness of breath are common, according to the CDC. Fever is also possible. The severity of the symptoms depends highly on the patient’s age and immune system. wapo.st/38fM1x9
Novel coronavirus cases have been confirmed in more than 60 countries. wapo.st/32Lkna0 
Epidemiology experts said the most important aspect of preparedness costs nothing at all — calm.
Wash your hands regularly. Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze. And when you’re sick, stay home from work or school and drink lots of fluids. wapo.st/3anB91S
Wash your hands regularly. Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze. And when you’re sick, stay home from work or school and drink lots of fluids. wapo.st/3anB91S
If you’re not already sick and you’re not a health-care worker, you don’t need to wear a mask. And you certainly don’t need to buy every box your local pharmacy has in stock. wapo.st/2PF4xsv
There’s still no antiviral to treat the novel coronavirus. A health official said, “most patients are cured of this on their own” by their immune system fighting the virus. But for at-risk patients, the novel coronavirus infection can be far more severe. wapo.st/2wkY4vS
Sign up for our coronavirus newsletter from To Your Health: What you need to know about the spread of the virus in the U.S. and around the world wapo.st/virusnewsletter
