Coronaviruses can cause a wide range of illnesses, including the common cold and COVID-19. Coronaviruses are present in many species, including camels and bats. Some of these viruses can infect humans, and some of the illnesses that they cause can be deadly.A person might have a higher risk of developing severe symptoms if they are older, have a weakened immune system, or have another health conditio.In humans, coronaviruses can cause the common cold , severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) , and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) . A coronavirus also causes coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) . This illness results from an infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This virus is responsible for an ongoing pandemic and more than 2 million deaths so far.Viruses work by hijacking cells. They enter host cells and reproduce, then spread to new cells throughout the body.As pathogens that the body does...