Difference Between Coronavirus and Novel Coronavirus


As both "coronavirus" and "new coronavirus” allude to the present pandemic, they have been used interchangeably. With closer inspection, the crown-like spikes on their surfaces become more obvious. Such spike proteins are employed for receptor binding in the host cells.

The common understanding of these medical words is that the same thing has happened. Article titles like "Coronavirus Update," "Coronavirus Outbreak," "Brunei Reports First New Coronavirus-Related Mortality," and "A Review of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Based on Existing Evidence" are all examples of news and research articles on coronaviruses. Each of these pieces is devoted to the same subject—the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic.

But to be more specific, the coronaviruses are a family of viruses that may infect the respiratory system (primarily the nose, throat, and lungs). The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that produces COVID-19 is the focus of the new coronavirus in this case. Novel refers to the fact that this particular strain of coronavirus is the most recently identified. This section will continue to dissect the differences between them.

What is Coronavirus?

Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is a pandemic in which a virus is causing respiratory sickness and killing more people than the typical seasonal flu.

  • Genetics and origin of the coronavirus − The covid-19 coronavirus seems to have emerged originally in China, where it spread from an animal to a person. The specific host animal from which the virus originated is still up for contention. It has been discovered to be comparable to the SARS coronavirus, a single-stranded RNA virus with glycoproteins on its outer surface.

  • Symptoms and complications − A high temperature and a dry cough are the most noticeable and noticeable signs of covid-19 infection. However, the infection can cause serious lung damage in some patients, which can make breathing extremely difficult. This results in a lack of oxygen in the blood, which can lead to cardiac issues or failure of numerous organs. Age and health factors affect death rates, yet even young, seemingly healthy people might pass away.

  • Diagnosis − A human sample can be tested using RT-PCR. Some nations now offer drive- through testing locations where anyone may pull up and have a sample taken for testing. The test is effective because it confirms a diagnosis by checking for the virus's unique genetic coding.

  • Transmission − It is believed that the coronavirus known as covid-19 is a zoonosis that was accidentally spread from an animal host to people. Human to human transmission then happened.

  • Risk factors and mortality − Mixing with infected people increases your risk, although you won't notice any signs for a time. While treating patients with covid-19, medical personnel are likewise at danger. Because of this, several nations have adopted policies of social isolation in an effort to lessen interpersonal contact. The largest fatalities occur amongst those older than 70 years and who have other ailments. Diabetes and heart disease appear to enhance the risk of covid-19 problems and mortality.

  • Treatment − Pain relievers are used to manage the symptoms, and the patient may also require fluids to help with the dehydration brought on by the fever, as well as supplementary oxygen for any breathing issues. In really severe circumstances the person may need to be on a ventilator to support breathing.

What is Novel Coronavirus?

The novel coronavirus is specifically related to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which produces COVID-19, an infectious condition characterised by fever, cough, and shortness of breath. In addition to these, you may also experience a fever, chills, muscular and/or joint aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and/or a headache. Bleeding from the nose and mouth, a drop in white blood cells, renal failure, respiratory failure, and death are all possible outcomes.

This was initially discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, PRC. Of the several coronavirus subtypes, this one is the most recent discovery; it is a member of the Beta generation. SARS-CoV-2 is the most contagious of the three SARS coronaviruses. The United States of America (USA), China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Iran, the United Kingdom (UK), Switzerland, and South Korea are among the top 10 countries hit by the pandemic. There have been more than 24,000 fatalities and 536,000 reported illnesses so far this year.

A Chinese investigation discovered that there are two types of SARS-CoV-2. In a study of 103 COVID-19 samples, it was determined that S type was the oldest strain, whereas the L type was more prevalent during the outbreak's first stages. There is speculation among experts that one strain is responsible for more severe symptoms than another, but this has not been proven.

Differences: Coronavirus and Novel Coronavirus

The following table highlights the major differences between Coronavirus and Novel Coronavirus −

Characteristics

Coronavirus

Novel Coronavirus

Definition

Coronaviruses are a kind of virus that infects the nose, upper neck, and lungs.

In particular, the novel coronavirus is related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV- 2), the causative agent of COVID-19, an infectious condition marked by high body temperature, a persistent cough, and difficulty breathing.

Discovery

Common cold-causing coronaviruses like 229E and OC43 were found in the 1960s.

The first case of the novel coronavirus was discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China (PRC).

Types

There are seven distinct kinds of the coronavirus, with four of them (HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, and HCoV-HKU1) considered to be relatively harmless. MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 are the other three known to generate outbreaks

One Chinese investigation found that there are two types of SARS-CoV-2. In a study of 103 COVID-19 samples, it was determined that S type was the oldest strain, whereas L type was more prevalent during the outbreak's first stages.

COVID-19

Less specifically associated

More specifically associated

Rate of Transmission

Relatively slower

Faster

Conclusion

While coronavirus and novel coronavirus are both types of coronaviruses, they differ in several key ways, including origin, severity of illness, transmission, and diagnosis and treatment. It is important to understand the differences between the two in order to take appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Updated on: 17-Apr-2023

95 Views

Kickstart Your Career

Get certified by completing the course

Get Started
Advertisements