The following is a small collection of terms that have been in the news in connection with the pandemic that is now affecting us all. These terms can be confusing, and we hope this short glossary will help to clarify the meanings of these items and sort out the puzzling aspects.
coronavirus
A coronavirus is technically a type of virus. The term does not refer specifically to the virus causing the current pandemic, although the term is being used in this way as a shorthand for the term “novel coronavirus,” the specific name of the virus we are dealing with now. Viruses that have infected populations in the recent past such as SARS and MERS are also coronaviruses. Coronaviruses are so-named because the outer perimeter of each round virus particle resembles a spiky crown similar in shape to the sun’s corona. (“Corona” comes from a Latin word meaning “garland” or “crown.”)
novel coronavirus
The current virus that humans are grappling with is called the “novel coronavirus.” The adjective “novel” differentiates this particular, NEW virus from previous coronaviruses. Typical symptoms of the virus include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and loss of taste and smell. The virus spreads very easily from person to person through droplets expelled into the air by a person who is infected. If the droplets are breathed in by another person or taken into the nose, mouth, or eyes in some other way, this new person can become infected. Currently there is no cure for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus and no vaccine to prevent people from becoming infected. The majority of people who catch the virus may become ill but will recover on their own, similar to the way many people recover from the flu. Hospital treatment for the disease focuses on helping patients with severe symptoms to survive while fighting the disease with their own immune systems.
Covid-19
The term Covid-19 (or “COVID-19”) refers to the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. “Co” in Covid stands for “corona,” “vi” stands for “virus,” and “d” stands for “disease.” The number 19 refers to the year 2019, the year in which the initial outbreak of the disease occurred.
respirator
In the current crisis, the term “respirator” refers to a type of face mask used to both protect the wearer from breathing in droplets of the virus expelled by someone with Covid-19 and to protect other people from catching the virus if the wearer is infected. However, the term is most often used in connection with protecting doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel from the possibility of catching the virus from infected patients. The term “respirator mask” is also used.
The word “respirator” has another meaning, which refers to a mechanical device. This type of “respirator” is a machine that assists a patient with breathing. In this sense, the word is similar to the word “ventilator.” (See below.) Currently, the term “respirator” seems to be used exclusively to refer to the protective face masks rather than breathing machines. The term “ventilator” refers only to the mechanical device.
ventilator
A ventilator is a machine used in hospitals to help patients breathe. Because the coronavirus can cause severe damage to the lungs, ventilators may be required to assist patients in breathing.
intubation
“Intubation” refers to the process of inserting a tube through a patient’s mouth and into their upper respiratory tract so that they can be put on a ventilator.
PPE
PPE stands for “personal protective equipment.” This is equipment that helps protect medical personnel from catching illnesses from patients. Because the novel coronavirus spreads very easily from person to person, use of personal protective equipment is particularly critical at this time. PPE typically includes face masks, gloves, goggles, and surgical gowns. “Face shields” are also PPE. These are clear plastic shields that extend from the forehead over the entire face.
epidemic
An epidemic is an outbreak of a disease wherein many individuals become infected over a wide area.
pandemic
A pandemic is a type of epidemic. It is an epidemic that has spread to various parts of the world. “Pan” is a word part that means “all.” The term “Pan-American,” for example, refers to all the Americas—South America, North America, and Central America. A “pantheon” is a temple dedicated to all the gods of a people.
community spread
During the early days of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States, the virus was being seen only in people who had visited other countries where there was an ongoing outbreak of the virus or in persons who had close contact with such people. However, the virus quickly began to be seen in people who had not been overseas and who had not had close contact with such persons. The original source of these new infections could not be discovered. “Community spread” refers to the spread of a disease in a community where the source of the infection is not known.
asymptomatic
When a person is asymptomatic for Covid-19, they are carrying the coronavirus but they are not displaying any of the symptoms. Although an asymptomatic person does not feel sick at all, they are capable of passing the disease on to other people.