Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. It can cause mild to severe symptoms, including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Related terms
Pandemic: A pandemic refers to an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population.
Quarantine: Quarantine is the practice of separating and restricting the movement of individuals who may have been exposed to a contagious disease in order to prevent its spread.
Contact tracing: Contact tracing involves identifying and monitoring individuals who have come into close contact with someone infected with a contagious disease, such as COVID-19, in order to prevent further transmission.