COVID-19 illness typically lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Symptoms usually start between 2 to 14 days after infection and clear up within a few days or weeks. Most people with mild cases recover in about two weeks, while severe or critical cases may take three to six weeks to recover. People are generally contagious for about 7 to 10 days after symptoms begin, with isolation recommended for at least 5 to 7 days depending on guidelines and symptom improvement. Some people may experience symptoms lasting longer than a few weeks, a condition known as long COVID, which can persist for months or years in some cases.
Duration of COVID-19 Symptoms
- Symptoms commonly appear 2–14 days post-infection.
- Mild cases may resolve within 7 to 14 days.
- More severe illness can last several weeks.
- Fever, cough, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell are typical symptoms.
Contagious Period
- Infectiousness begins about 2 days before symptoms.
- People are most contagious in the first week.
- Isolation is advised for at least 5 to 7 days, ending after fever subsides for 24 hours and symptoms improve.
- Masking and distancing recommended for several days after isolation ends.
Long COVID
- Some individuals develop prolonged symptoms lasting weeks to months.
- Common lingering symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness, muscle pain, and cognitive impairments.
- This condition can affect daily functioning and may require medical management.
Overall, COVID-19 duration varies widely depending on symptom severity, individual health, and vaccination status, but typical illness duration is about 1 to 2 weeks with possible longer-term effects in some cases.
