how long does omicron last

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 generally lasts between 5 to 10 days in the body after the first positive test, depending on the severity of the infection and the person's immune response. Symptoms can start as early as 3 days after exposure and may last about a week or sometimes up to two weeks. People are usually contagious starting 1-2 days before symptoms appear and remain contagious for at least 2-3 days after symptoms cease. The CDC recommends isolating for the first 5 days of mild illness and wearing a mask for the next 5 days if symptoms have improved. Viral shedding of Omicron's infectious particles can continue up to 10 days in some cases, but typically decreases as the immune system responds. Vaccinated individuals tend to experience shorter, milder symptoms compared to unvaccinated ones. Overall, most people are no longer contagious about 10 days after symptom onset or a positive test, provided symptoms have resolved and there is no fever.