SARS-CoV-2
Medical abbreviation · Infectious Disease
| Stands for | Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
SARS-CoV-2 stands for Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, an infectious disease abbreviation.
The coronavirus that causes COVID-19, first identified in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. It enters cells through the ACE2 receptor and has evolved into successive variants, such as Delta and Omicron, that differ in transmissibility and immune escape.
Example: Wastewater SARS-CoV-2 levels rising in the county for the third straight week.
Usage notes
Named by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses in February 2020 because it is closely related to the virus behind the 2002–2003 SARS outbreak. The virus and the disease have different names, just as HIV causes AIDS. Variants are labeled with Greek letters by the WHO and with Pango lineage codes by scientists.
Related abbreviations
More infectious disease abbreviations
- RMSF – Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- RSV – Respiratory syncytial virus
- RVP – Respiratory viral panel
- RZV – Recombinant zoster vaccine
- S. aureus – Staphylococcus aureus
- SARS – Severe acute respiratory syndrome
- SSTI – Skin and soft tissue infection
- STD – Sexually transmitted disease
- STEC – Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli
- STI – Sexually transmitted infection
- SVR – Sustained virologic response
- TB – Tuberculosis
See all 92 infectious disease abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.