SARS-CoV-2. Black and white scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Here the virus is shown budding (small dots) from a Caco-2 human gut epithelial cell 24 hours after infection. The coronaviruses take their name from their crown (corona) of surface proteins, which are used to attach and penetrate their host cells. Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. As of April 2024 700 million cases and 7 million deaths have been recorded world- wide. Mag. x 6000 at 10cm wide. Specimen courtesy of Greg Towers, UCL.