This article will explain how long most people can expect infection for COVID-19 to last.
How long does COVID last?
Duration of symptoms for COVID-19 is different for each person and some individuals may develop no symptoms at all. Most people are expected to recover within 1-2 weeks of symptom onset.
Common symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
However, recovery from COVID-19 is different for everyone. And for some people, symptoms can last weeks- years.
These include:
- Loss of taste and smell
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
This is often called Long COVID. If you have more severe COVID-19 you may be more likely to report Long COVID (1), however, anyone, regardless of how unwell you were, can experience it.
Do I need to isolate while I have Long COVID?
No. You do not need to isolate if you have Long COVID as it is not associated with active viral infection.
Are you eligible for a COVID booster?
References
- Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions. [Internet] 2023. [Cited 3rd October 2023] Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/index.html
