Variants of SARS-CoV-2
Variants of SARS-CoV-2
The Variants of SARS-CoV-2 (pronounced as /ˈvɛəriənts ɒv sɑːrs kəʊ viː ˈtuː/) are the different forms of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. The term "variant" in virology is used to describe a virus that has undergone genetic changes.
Etymology
The term "variant" comes from the Latin word "variantem" which means "to change". The term "SARS-CoV-2" is an acronym for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, named for its genetic similarity to the virus that caused the SARS outbreak in 2003.
Variants
Several variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been identified since the start of the pandemic. These include:
- Alpha variant (B.1.1.7): First identified in the United Kingdom in September 2020.
- Beta variant (B.1.351): First identified in South Africa in May 2020.
- Gamma variant (P.1): First identified in Brazil in November 2020.
- Delta variant (B.1.617.2): First identified in India in October 2020.
Significance
The significance of these variants lies in their potential to increase transmissibility, cause more severe disease, or evade immunity. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies variants of concern and variants of interest based on these factors.
Related Terms
- Mutation: A change in the genetic sequence of a virus.
- Epidemiology: The study of how diseases spread and can be controlled.
- Virology: The study of viruses and virus-like agents.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Variants of SARS-CoV-2
- Wikipedia's article - Variants of SARS-CoV-2
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