coronavirus /kôr′ənəvī″rəs/ [L, corona + virus, poison] , a member of Coronaviridae, a family of viruses that includes several types capable of causing acute respiratory illnesses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). These viruses infect a wide variety of mammals (including humans) and birds. Along with rhinoviruses, coronaviruses are considered the primary causes of the common cold. Reinfection with the same genotype can occur. Other diseases caused by coronaviruses include hepatitis, neurological disease, infectious peritonitis, nephritis, and pancreatitis.
