Select the true statements about SARS-CoV-2. (Select all that apply.)
a. It causes COVID-19.
b. It is vaccine preventable.
c. The FDA has approved hydroxychloroquine to treat infections with this virus.
d. It is considered a zoonotic infection.
e. It causes a form of viral pneumonia.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the nature of SARS-CoV-2. It is a virus responsible for causing the disease COVID-19, which is a respiratory illness.
2. Step 2: Consider vaccine availability. Vaccines have been developed and authorized to prevent infection by SARS-CoV-2, making it vaccine preventable.
3. Step 3: Review treatment approvals. The FDA has not approved hydroxychloroquine for treating SARS-CoV-2 infections; this is important to verify from reliable sources.
4. Step 4: Examine the origin of the virus. SARS-CoV-2 is considered a zoonotic infection, meaning it originated from animals and crossed over to humans.
5. Step 5: Recognize the clinical effects. SARS-CoV-2 can cause viral pneumonia, which is a form of lung infection caused by the virus.

Key Concepts

SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 is the virus responsible for causing COVID-19, a respiratory illness that emerged in late 2019. Understanding the relationship between the virus and the disease it causes is fundamental to microbiology and epidemiology.

Zoonotic Infections

Zoonotic infections are diseases transmitted from animals to humans. SARS-CoV-2 is believed to have originated in animals before spreading to humans, making it a zoonotic virus, which is important for understanding its transmission and control.

Treatment and Prevention of SARS-CoV-2

Effective prevention of SARS-CoV-2 includes vaccines that reduce infection and severity. While some drugs were investigated, hydroxychloroquine is not FDA-approved for treating COVID-19, highlighting the importance of evidence-based treatments.