What causes COVID-19?

    Researchedby:
    Nick Milazzo

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Morgan Pfiffner, Graham Walker
    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. SARS-CoV-2 is primarily transmitted between people within 6 feet of each other through the air via respiratory droplets and aerosolized particles.[1] Severe disease or death is more common in people who are male, are of older age, have hypertension, diabetes, obesity, COPD, chronic liver or kidney diseases, cancer, or who are pregnant or have immunodeficiency or are taking immunosuppressive medications.[2]

    References

    1. ^Eric A Meyerowitz, Aaron Richterman, Rajesh T Gandhi, Paul E SaxTransmission of SARS-CoV-2: A Review of Viral, Host, and Environmental FactorsAnn Intern Med.(2021 Jan)
    2. ^Ya-Dong Gao, Mei Ding, Xiang Dong, Jin-Jin Zhang, Ahmet Kursat Azkur, Dilek Azkur, Hui Gan, Yuan-Li Sun, Wei Fu, Wei Li, Hui-Ling Liang, Yi-Yuan Cao, Qi Yan, Can Cao, Hong-Yu Gao, Marie-Charlotte Brüggen, Willem van de Veen, Milena Sokolowska, Mübeccel Akdis, Cezmi A AkdisRisk factors for severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients: A reviewAllergy.(2021 Feb)