The novel coronavirus (NCoV) has been in the news lately after France's Health Ministry confirmed that a second man had contracted the virus in a case of possible human-to-human transmission.

But what are the symptoms and how concerned should you be?

The coronavirus has been compared to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) which caused almost 800 deaths worldwide between 2002 and 2003.

The World Health Organization has confirmed that the virus, which has caused 18 deaths, is said to have originated in the Middle East, earning the moniker of 'Saudi SARS'. 

The coronavirus bears striking similarities to SARS and is believed to have also originated in animals.

The first case was discovered last Autumn in Saudi Arabia when a Qatari man was hospitalized with  a respiratory disease which then led to renal failure.

Cases have been reported in the UK, Germany and France. In February a patient died in Birmingham after three members of his family had become infected. It is believed that the individual contracted the virus after coming into contact with a family member who had travelled to the Middle East. 

In France two men are currently being treated in isolation wards. The first patient - a 65-year-old man - contracted the virus after returning from a trip to Dubai, while the second man is said to have become infected after sharing a hospital room with the first man.

In all 33 cases have been confirmed in Europe as health professionals try to contain its spread.

WHO officials believe that the virus can be passed on human-to-human, but only after "prolonged contact" and is said to be "not highly contagious" due to the relatively low number of cases.

Although it is not known exactly how it spreads, it is believed that it is transmitted via droplets emitted when coughing or sneezing.

The coronavirus causes respiratory illnesses, fever, pneumonia and kidney failure, with older men who also have other conditions particularly at risk, judging from the profile of the patients.