Coronaviruses

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses in humans. However, three coronaviruses have caused more serious and fatal disease in people: SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV), which emerged in November 2002 and causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS); MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which emerged in 2012 and causes Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS); and SARS-CoV-2, which emerged in 2019 and causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Building on previous research on SARS and MERS, NIAID scientists and NIAID-supported researchers mobilized quickly to develop COVID-19 therapeutics, vaccines and diagnostics. Researchers continue to conduct basic research to understand how coronaviruses infect cells and causes disease, and what interventions can detect, prevent and stop the spread of disease.

Volunteer for COVID-19 Clinical Trials

NIAID conducts and supports clinical trials evaluating therapies and vaccine candidates against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19.

Consider volunteering if you 

  • have never had COVID-19
  • have recovered from COVID-19
  • you currently have COVID-19 but do not need hospitalization
  • you are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 or caring for a patient who is

View a selection of ongoing NIAID-supported COVID-19 studies

More COVID-19 Related Resources

NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines developed by a panel of U.S. experts.

Antiviral Program for Pandemics aiming to develop safe and effective antivirals to combat SARS-CoV-2 as well as to build sustainable platforms for targeted drug discovery and development of a robust pipeline of antivirals against viruses with pandemic potential.

Information for Coronavirus Researchers such as funding and resources for the scientific community to facilitate the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. 

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