What is the coronavirus? Here's what we know about it

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The coronavirus is a respiratory virus first reported in China in December, 2019. The illness has since spread around the globe, and the World Health Organization has characterized it as a pandemic.

The disease caused by the virus is called COVID-19.

Here's what to know about the coronavirus.

Full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak

What is a coronavirus?

The new virus is a type of a coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause a range of symptoms including a runny nose, cough, sore throat and fever. Some are mild, such as the common cold, while others are more likely to lead to pneumonia. They're usually spread through direct contact with an infected person.

The coronavirus gets its name from the crown-like spikes on its surface, according to the CDC. (Corona is Latin for crown.) Including the newly identified form of the virus, there are a total of seven coronaviruses that can infect humans, the CDC says. Other well-known coronaviruses include SARS and MERS.

The new virus causes a disease called COVID-19, which stands for coronavirus disease 2019, the year it was discovered.

What are the symptoms?

Key symptoms to watch for include fever, cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. However, the illness can also cause body aches, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhea.

Up to 80 percent of those who become infected appear to have mild symptoms and may not even know they're sick. But in severe cases, the illness can cause pneumonia, kidney failure and death, according to the World Health Organization.