COVID-19 recovery time varies depending on the severity of the illness and individual factors. Generally:
- For mild to moderate cases, symptoms typically last about 5 to 10 days, with many people recovering within 1 to 2 weeks
- Severe cases can take much longer to recover, often several weeks to up to 12 weeks or more, especially if hospitalization or complications occur
- Some individuals experience symptoms lasting beyond 12 weeks, a condition known as long COVID or post-COVID syndrome
- Recovery signs include resolution of fever followed by gradual improvement of other symptoms like cough and fatigue
- Vaccinated individuals may experience milder symptoms and potentially quicker recovery, but the overall duration of illness is similar to unvaccinated cases
- To support faster recovery, rest, hydration, a healthy diet, and following medical advice are recommended
In summary, most people recover from COVID-19 within 1 to 2 weeks, but recovery can extend to several weeks or months in severe or long COVID cases