What Are the Stages of COVID-19 Infection? Day-by-Day Symptoms

There are three stages of COVID-19 infection: incubation, acute symptoms, and recovery. The incubation period, or how long it takes symptoms to develop after exposure, is about three days. Symptoms may change day by day but usually include a fever, cough, sore throat, muscle pain, and headache. People with mild to moderate symptoms generally recover after six to seven days.

The progression of COVID depends on the variant and severity of infection. The Omicron variant accounts for most cases in the United States as of April 2024. Omicron generally seems to spread more easily than other COVID variants. The symptoms are generally milder and have a shorter duration than previous variants.

There might be some confusion over what having COVID looks like from start to finish, especially as new variants and subvariants continue to pop up. Read on to learn about the stages of COVID infection and how symptoms progress day by day.

What Are the Stages of COVID Infection?

You may contract COVID, although likely a milder version, even if you have been vaccinated or boosted or have had a previous infection. Here's what a typical timeline of a COVID infection looks like, from exposure to recovery.

Incubation Period (Day 1 to 3)

Omicron and its subvariants have shorter incubation periods, so it takes less time for symptoms to appear after exposure. The incubation period is about three days, compared to the Delta variant's five-day incubation period. The original SARS-CoV-2 virus' incubation period is more than five days.

It's important to test as soon as you begin feeling any cold- or flu-like symptoms. You can test again 48 hours after the first negative test, for a total of at least two tests, if you get a negative result but still feel ill. You may also consider getting a laboratory molecular-based test or calling a healthcare provider.

Acute COVID (Day 4 to 7)

Acute COVID begins when symptoms develop. COVID symptoms may look a lot like a common cold or even allergies. Some people don't develop symptoms, meaning they are asymptomatic.

Your immune system will start taking action as your body recognizes that it's been infected. These actions can result in symptoms you feel. Research has shown that people have acute symptoms for about six to seven days.

Symptoms may vary, depending on the variant. Research has found that sore throat and hoarse voice are consistently more prevalent with Omicron than with Delta. Loss of taste and smell, a common symptom with previous variants, is less likely to occur with Omicron. The risk is just 17% for Omicron, 44% for Delta, and 50% for the Alpha variant, compared to rates of smell and taste loss during the early phase of the pandemic in 2020.

Recovery (Day 8 to 14)

Most people with mild to moderate symptoms recover after six to seven days. During this time, it's important to take it easy and give yourself time to recharge.

Reach out to a healthcare provider if your symptoms are not improving or return. Some people develop long COVID, which causes symptoms for weeks or months after infection. These symptoms can include a lingering cough, fatigue, and changes to your sense of taste or smell.

What Are COVID Symptoms?

COVID symptoms are typically mild to moderate. This doesn't mean the virus is completely harmless for everyone. Some people are still at risk for severe illness, hospitalization, or even death.

COVID symptoms generally include:

• Cough
• Diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
• Fatigue
• Fever and chills
• Headache
• Loss of sense of taste or smell
• Muscle aches
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Sore throat

These symptoms may change with different variants. Omicron and its subvariants typically cause more mild symptoms than previous variants like Delta. Over 56% of people who were likely infected with Omicron didn't know they even had the virus.

Duration

The length of symptoms varies greatly. Duration depends on the person, their vaccination status, the severity of the disease, and any risk factors. The average COVID infection, from incubation to recovery, generally lasts two to three weeks.

If you have COVID, it's important to stay at home and away from others for at least five days. You can end isolation after this time if your symptoms are improving and you haven't had a fever for 24 hours without the use of a fever reducer.

Keep in mind that you can spread the virus regardless of vaccination status or whether you have symptoms. Most people are likely contagious for 10 days after their symptoms began or from when they tested positive.

Take the following measures for at least five days after you end isolation:

• Avoid crowds and practice social distancing around others
• Open the windows in your home and use fans to improve air circulation
• Regularly wash your hands with soap and water
• Sanitize frequently touched areas in your home, such as countertops and door knobs
• Take an at-home COVID test before being around others
• Wear a high-quality mask around others

Long-Term Effects

Complications that may develop as a result of COVID include:

• Damage to the blood vessels, brain, eyes, GI organs, heart, kidneys, or skin
• Death
• Long COVID
• Respiratory failure

Vaccination plus previous infection work together to boost immunity. Research has shown that an Omicron breakthrough infection enhances immunity. A breakthrough infection happens if you're vaccinated or boosted and then get COVID.

More evolved variants are more stealthy than previous variants. The immune system is less likely to recognize and attack it right away. The most robust protection against COVID is vaccination and boosters. It's important to not rely on natural immunity to be highly protective against the virus.

Follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines based on your community's risk level. People may choose to mask at any time. The CDC advises people in high-transmission areas to remain vigilant and mask indoors in public.

Treating COVID at Home

It's important to stay home for at least five days if you test positive. Avoid contact with others in your home to prevent the spread of COVID.

You can treat mild to moderate symptoms at home by:

• Avoiding smoking 
• Breathing in steam from a hot shower or using a vaporizer to a cough or dry throat
• Getting plenty of rest
• Soaking in a lukewarm bath to lower a fever
• Staying hydrated
• Sucking on cough drops or hard candies if you have a sore throat or dry cough
• Taking a fever reducer, such as Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen)

When To Contact a Healthcare Provider

It's essential for those who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID to check in with a healthcare provider if they contract the virus. They can potentially get a prescription for Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir). This antiviral medication helps prevent severe illness from the disease.

Some people have reported "Paxlovid rebound," or a recurrence of COVID symptoms after they've finished their course of treatment. These rebound symptoms tend to be mild and only last a few days.

A Quick Review 

The three stages of COVID infection include incubation, acute symptoms, and recovery. How long COVID lasts generally depends on the person and the severity of the infection. The average infection, from incubation to recovery, can last two to three weeks. 

Most people with mild to moderate COVID recover at home. See a healthcare provider if you have severe symptoms or are at risk for complications. They may prescribe Paxlovid, an antiviral medication that treats severe symptoms. Get medical attention right away if you have troubling symptoms, such as chest pain or trouble breathing.

The information in this story is accurate as of publication. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources.

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