COVID-19, medically speaking, is the disease. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus and infection. Similar to AIDS (the disease) and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). For m

COVID-19, medically speaking, is the disease. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus and infection. Similar to AIDS (the disease) and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). For many viruses, you can have an infection without developing the disease. Especially if your immune system is primed, say by prior exposure and/or vaccination. And while technically you're still transmissible while you have an active infection (because you have virus multiplying in you), your viral loads are also likely much lower than someone exhibiting symptoms (because your immune system is keeping things under control). But for highly infectious diseases, sometimes even low doses are sufficient to infect someone around you.