What is SARS-CoV-2?
SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is a strain of Coronavirus that causes COVID-19 , the respiratory illness responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic . The virus previously had the provisional name 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), and has also been called human coronavirus 2019 (HCoV-19 or hCoV-19). First identified in the city of Wuhan, Hubei, China, the World Health Organization designated the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern from January 30, 2020, to May 5, 2023. SARS-CoV-2 is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus that is highly contagious in humans.
Viruses like SARS-CoV-2 continuously evolve as changes in the genetic code (caused by genetic mutations or viral recombination) occur during replication of the genome. SARS-CoV-2 has consistently mutated over the course of the pandemic, resulting in variants that are different from the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been found in the United States and globally. Scientists use multiple classification systems to describe and communicate similarities and differences between SARS-CoV-2 viruses. According to the World Health Organization , 700 million people have contracted the virus since 2020. Close to 7 million have died, 1 million in the U.S. alone.
The CDC reports that COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia. COVID-19 may attack more than your lungs and respiratory system. Other parts of your body may also be affected by the disease. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become severely ill.
Preventing the Spread of SARS-CoV-2
SARS-CoV-2 can spread by the following means :
- Close contact with an infected person, via breath particles as well as physical contact
- Touching surfaces that have been contaminated by SARS-CoV-2
- Non-symptomatic people can carry and therefore unknowingly spread the virus
According to the CDC , there is no evidence to suggest that handling or consuming food or drinking water can spread COVID-19. However, genetic material from SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in untreated wastewater. In rare cases, pet cats and dogs can sometimes become infected by people with COVID-19.
Get Additional Protection with Germicidal UV Disinfection
In addition to the above preventative measures, Germicidal Ultraviolet (UV-C) surface disinfection can inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in many applications. Our products use STER-L-RAY® Germicidal UV-C Lamps producing ultraviolet wavelengths at 254 nanometers, the region of germicidal effectiveness most destructive to harmful microorganisms.
View our FAQ Page for more information on how UV air and surface disinfection can help protect many types of interior spaces from contamination by SARS-CoV-2. Our Application Directory can help businesses, industries, and institutions to implement UV-C for many other disinfection needs. UV-C disinfection can also treat wastewater to remove the possible presence of SARS-CoV-2.
SARS-CoV-2: Classification & UV-C Dose for Inactivation
Organism: | Alternate Name: | Type: | Disease: | UV Dose*: |
---|---|---|---|---|
SARS-CoV-2 | Virus | COVID-19 | 7.8 mJ/cm2 |
Where is it found?
What can it infect?
How Does it Spread?
SARS-CoV-2 Symptoms
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Possible symptoms include :
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- new loss of taste or smell
- sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. Symptoms may change with new COVID-19 variants and can vary depending on vaccination status. Older adults and people who have underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
Possible Complications from SARS-CoV-2
Most symptoms of COVID-19 are relatively mild and manageable. But if you’re older or have another illness such as diabetes or heart disease, you’re more at risk for complications due to COVID-19 . About 1 in 6 people will have complications, including some that are life-threatening. Many of these complications may be caused by a condition known as cytokine release syndrome or a cytokine storm. This is when an infection triggers your immune system to flood your bloodstream with inflammatory proteins called cytokines. They can kill tissue and damage your organs, including your lungs, heart, and kidneys.
Some SARS-CoV-2 infections can cause:
- Acute Respiratory distress syndrome – A severe lung condition that causes a low amount of oxygen to go through your bloodstream to your organs
- Pneumonia and trouble breathing – Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
- Acute Liver Injury
- Acute Cardiac Injury – Heart problems
- Secondary Infection
- Acute Kidney Injury
- Septic Shock
- Blood clots
Sources on SARS-CoV-2
The above information can be found on the following pages. Please read complete articles to learn more.
- CDC: SARS-CoV-2
- CDC: How COVID-19 Spreads
- CDC: Symptoms of Coronavirus
- WebMD: COVID
- WebMD: Coronavirus complications
* Nominal Ultraviolet dosage necessary to inactivate better than 99% of microorganisms. See sources below.
- Sensitivity of Bacteria, Protozoa, Viruses, and Other Microorganisms to Ultraviolet Radiation. Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Volume 126, Article No. 126021. August 20, 2021.
Learn More & Shop Our Products to Inactivate Enterovirus
Made in the USA from U.S. and imported parts, Air & Surface Disinfection product lines from Atlantic Ultraviolet Corporation® are constructed of the highest quality materials and use germicidal UV-C lamps to disinfect water and surfaces, inactivating microorganisms like SARS-CoV-2.
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