What does COVID (Coronavirus Disease 2019) stand for?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: January 15, 2026 • View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

What COVID Stands For

COVID stands for "Coronavirus Disease 2019" (or "COronaVIrus Disease-2019"), officially named by the World Health Organization on February 11,2020. 1

Official Nomenclature

  • The acronym "COVID-19" breaks down as follows: 1

    • CO = Coronavirus
    • VI = Virus
    • D = Disease
    • 19 = 2019 (the year it was first identified)

  • The disease was officially named by WHO on February 11,2020, following the outbreak that began in Wuhan, China in late December 2019. 1

The Causative Virus

  • COVID-19 is caused by a novel beta-coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). 1, 2

  • SARS-CoV-2 was initially referred to as "2019-nCoV" (2019 novel coronavirus) before receiving its official designation. 1

  • The virus is a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Coronaviridae family, sharing approximately 76.5-76.9% genetic homology with the original SARS-CoV-1 virus. 1, 2

Clinical Context

  • COVID-19 represents an acute respiratory illness that can range from asymptomatic infection to severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and death. 1, 2

  • The disease was declared a pandemic by WHO on March 11,2020, after being designated a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30,2020. 3, 4

References

1
Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

2
Guideline

SARS-CoV-2 Characteristics and Clinical Manifestations

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Related Questions

What is the best course of action for a patient in their 40s with no comorbidities, presenting with chills, diarrhea, fatigue, and headache for 3 days, who tested positive for COVID-19 at home, has normal vitals, a normal physical exam, and is able to tolerate oral (PO) fluids?
What is the best course of treatment for a patient with COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) experiencing worsening dyspnea (shortness of breath), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), hypertension (high blood pressure), and hypoxemia (low oxygen levels)?
What are the CDC guidelines for isolation and treatment of COVID-19?
What are the current treatment guidelines for COVID-19 in a 96-year-old patient?
What is the differential diagnosis and appropriate workup for a 49-year-old male with no significant past medical history presenting with acute severe lightheadedness, dizziness, vomiting, mild shortness of breath, and headache, after a recent household COVID-19 exposure?
What is the recommended dosing of Bactrim (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) liquid formulation for a 40kg patient with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infection?
What is the next best treatment for an elderly patient with a third recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI), who was initially treated with cefuroxime (Cefuroxime) and cephalexin (Cephalexin)?
What could be causing fluttery feelings from the left upper abdomen to the epigastric and right chest under the breast?
What are the triggers for sickle cell crisis in a 3-month-old infant with sickle cell disease?
What is the best approach to diagnose a patient with no pain, but experiencing fluttery feelings from the left upper abdomen to the epigastric and right chest under the breast, considering potential cardiac and gastrointestinal causes?
What lab work is required for a patient with long-term lamotrigine (Lamictal) usage, including those with a history of liver disease or impaired renal function?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.

Ask Question