How Long Does COVID Last? What To Expect if You Contract the Virus

If you have COVID-19, you may be wondering how long your illness will last. Your infection time will vary, but generally, a mild case of COVID usually resolves in one to two weeks. It may take up to six weeks or more to recover from a severe case of COVID. Some people experience lasting symptoms, called long COVID, which may include damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, and lungs.

Every case is different, but research has given experts a good idea of how long COVID lasts. Read on to learn about common COVID symptoms, when they're likely to strike, and how long it takes to recover fully.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From COVID?

The COVID recovery period depends on the severity of the illness.

If you have mild COVID symptoms, you can expect to recover within 10 days to two weeks. For more severe cases, it may take a few weeks or even months to feel better. Some people with severe symptoms may require hospitalization.

Older adults and people with severe underlying health conditions, like diabetes or heart or lung disease, may be at risk for severe COVID complications.

COVID complications include:

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): This life-threatening lung injury happens when fluid collects in your lungs, preventing your organs from getting enough oxygen. ARDS causes difficulty breathing.
• Lung abscess: A lung infection that causes the death of cells and tissues.
• Pneumonia: SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID, may cause viral pneumonia or lead to a bacterial lung infection.

Some people, even those who had mild initial infections, may develop long COVID, also known as post-COVID conditions, chronic COVID, and several other similar names. People with long COVID can have new, ongoing, or recurring symptoms for four weeks or longer after infection and recovery.

Long COVID may result in a wide range of health concerns, including:

• Anxiety or depression
• Brain fog or difficulty thinking
• Changes in your menstrual cycle
• Changes in your smell and taste
• Chest pain
• Chronic fatigue
• Difficulty breathing
• Joint or muscle pain
• Lightheadedness
• Trouble sleeping

Consult a healthcare provider to make sure your symptoms do not indicate other health concerns if you develop long COVID.

Common COVID Symptoms  

COVID symptoms manifest in a variety of ways. 

Some of the most common COVID symptoms include:

• A new loss of taste and smell
  
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Fever and chills
• Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (e.g., diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting)
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Trouble breathing

The COVID incubation period, or the time from exposure to symptom onset, lasts anywhere from two to 14 days. The incubation period may depend on the SARS-CoV-2 variant. For example, research has found that the Omicron variant has a shorter incubation period than Delta and other variants. Newer variants may have shorter or longer incubation periods.

COVID can spread during the incubation period, so self-isolating and masking are essential if exposed to the virus, particularly if you will be around those at higher risk for severe infections.

Many cases of COVID-19 are mild, and some are even asymptomatic. A study published in 2021 found that, out of 29,776,306 people worldwide, 0.25% of people who tested positive for COVID-19 were asymptomatic. In other words, not everyone who gets COVID-19 has symptoms.

How Long Will You Test Positive for COVID?

You may be contagious if you feel better but test positive within 10 days after your symptoms start. In that case, continue wearing a high-quality mask. If you are concerned or need to know if you still test positive for COVID, wait 48 hours, then take another rapid antigen test.

You may end your isolation if you have mild COVID symptoms that are improving and are fever-free for 24 hours without a fever-reducing medicine.

Research has found that rapid antigen tests often do not detect the live virus after nine days. PCR tests may detect SARS-CoV-2 in upper respiratory specimens for up to three months after you fully recover.

You are usually not infectious, even though the SARS-CoV-2 virus may be present in your upper airways. By this point, the viral particles in your system are likely dead or weakened and unable to replicate. 

In contrast, people with severe COVID-19 symptoms or weak immune systems may need more time for the virus to clear. Consult with a healthcare provider for guidance on when you can expect to no longer be infectious.

When Is It Safe To Be Around Others?

You can be around others safely if your symptoms are improving and you have been fever-free for 24 hours without a fever-reducing medicine. However, you should take extra precautions, such as wearing a mask and social distancing for 5 days after you end isolation.

It's recommended to wear a high-quality mask around others if exposed to COVID, regardless of whether you are vaccinated. To find out if you've gotten COVID, do a test five full days after exposure. You do not need to receive another test if you have tested positive in the last 90 days and come into contact with the virus unless you show symptoms.

"Practice physical distancing, wear a mask, and wash hands regularly. These are the best practices," Jorge Vournas, MD, medical director at Abbracci Med Spa, told Health. "There is no good reason not to be too careful. In addition to the common recommendations, be careful with who you interact with, especially high-risk elderly and those with comorbid conditions."

When To Call a Healthcare Provider

Consider consulting a healthcare provider if you develop COVID symptoms, think you may develop a worsening illness, or have a high risk of developing severe COVID. They can prescribe an antiviral, Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir). Paxlovid helps prevent severe symptoms if taken within five days of symptom onset.

People who have a high risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms include people who:

• Are not vaccinated against COVID-19
• Are older than 50
• Are pregnant
• Have a weak immune system
• Have underlying health conditions (e.g., asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity)
• Smoke

Call a healthcare provider before your visit to tell them you have COVID symptoms. Let them know whether you have other health conditions or take medications. Wear a high-quality mask if you see a healthcare provider in person.

Seek medical attention right away if you or someone near you develops concerning symptoms like:

• Blue face or lips
• Confusion
• Difficulty breathing
• Inability to wake up
• Severe chest pain or pressure

A Quick Review

Mild COVID symptoms usually subside within 10 days to two weeks. You can end your isolation period once you feel better and are fever-free for 24 hours without a fever-reducing medicine.

In contrast, it may take weeks or months to feel better for more severe cases. Some people develop long COVID, or persistent symptoms lasting four weeks or longer after recovery. Still, people usually are not contagious after nine days.

Consult a healthcare provider if you develop COVID symptoms and are at a high risk of severe illness. They may prescribe an antiviral medicine to help alleviate symptoms. Seek immediate medical attention if you or someone near you has blue lips or face, severe chest pain, or trouble breathing.