How long does it take to recover from COVID-19?

Fortunately, people who have mild to moderate symptoms typically recover in a few days or weeks.

When do you start being contagious with COVID-19?

A person with COVID-19 is considered infectious starting 2 days before they develop symptoms, or 2 days before the date of their positive test if they do not have symptoms.

What can you take if you have mild symptoms of COVID-19?

If you have body aches, a sore throat or cough, a pain reliever can help lessen the discomfort these symptoms can bring. You may also consider taking a nasal decongestant for a stuffy nose and an expectorant for chest congestion.

What are the signs and symptoms of COVID-19?

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Among persons who develop symptoms, most experience fever (83%–99%), cough (59%–82%), fatigue (44%–70%), anorexia (40%–84%), shortness of breath (31%–40%), and myalgias (11%–35%). Other non-specific symptoms, such as sore throat, nasal congestion, headache, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, have also been reported. Loss of smell (anosmia) or loss of taste (ageusia) preceding the onset of respiratory symptoms has also been reported.

Older people and immunosuppressed patients in particular may present with atypical symptoms such as fatigue, reduced alertness, reduced mobility, diarrhea, loss of appetite, delirium, and absence of fever.

Symptoms such as dyspnea, fever, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms or fatigue due to physiologic adaptations in enceinte women, adverse pregnancy events, or other diseases such as malaria, may overlap with symptoms of COVID-19.

Children might not have reported fever or cough as frequently as adults.

Can an infected person spread COVID-19 before showing symptoms?

An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 2 days before the person has any symptoms or tests positive. People who have COVID-19 don’t always have obvious symptoms. A person is still considered a close contact even if they were wearing a mask while they were around someone with COVID-19.

Can you get the COVID-19 from someone who has no symptoms?

Both flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to others by people before they begin showing symptoms; by people with very mild symptoms; and by people who never experience symptoms (asymptomatic people).

Can I have COVID-19 if I have fever?

If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19.

What should I do If I am exposed to COVID-19 but had a prior COVID-19 infection in the past 90 days?

Wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days after exposure. Monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and isolate immediately if symptoms develop. Consult with a healthcare provider for testing recommendations if new symptoms develop.

How do you get exposed to COVID-19?

It’s more likely if you’re physically close to someone who is both infected and in the first 5 days of symptoms. Doctors, nurses, and other health care workers are at especially high risk when they deal with people hospitalized for COVID-19.

How does COVID-19 mainly spread from person to person?

The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person, mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Can patients who have recovered from COVID-19 continue to have detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA in upper respiratory specimens?

• Patients who have recovered from COVID-19 can continue to have detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA in upper respiratory specimens for up to 3 months after illness onset in concentrations considerably lower than during illness; however, replication-competent virus has not been reliably recovered and infectiousness is unlikely.

Can you get COVID-19 if you already had it and have antibodies?

It is important to remember that some people with antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 may become infected after vaccination (vaccine breakthrough infection) or after recovering from a past infection (reinfected).

Does immunity to COVID-19 decrease over time?

One of the main studies providing the evidence for CDC’s recommendation was recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine [1]. It found that vaccine-induced immunity, while still quite protective against infection and severe illness from COVID-19, can wane after several months.

Can you still have detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA after recovering from COVID-19?

Some people who have recovered may have detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA in upper respiratory specimens for up to 3 months after illness onset, albeit at concentrations considerably lower than during illness, in ranges where replication-competent virus has not been reliably recovered and infectiousness is unlikely.

Is it common to develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) after recovering from COVID-19?

While it is very rare, some people, mostly children, experience multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) during or immediately after a COVID-19 infection. MIS is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed.

How long after getting infected will COVID-19 antibodies show up in the test?

An antibody test may not show if you have a current infection because it can take 1–3 weeks after the infection for your body to make antibodies.

Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I have recovered from COVID-19?

If I have already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine? Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 because: Research has not yet shown how long you are protected from getting COVID-19 again after you recover from COVID-19. Vaccination helps protect you even if you’ve already had COVID-19.

How are COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 related?

The novel coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2, is a potentially deadly virus that can lead to COVID-19.

Would COVID-19 antibody test be positive after vaccine?

Be aware that if you have a positive test result on a SARS-CoV-2 antibody test, it is possible you were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. A COVID-19 vaccination may also cause a positive antibody test result for some but not all antibody tests.

Do I need the COVID-19 vaccine if I still have antibodies?

Yes, the COVID-19 vaccines are recommended, even if you had COVID-19.

Can you get the COVID-19 vaccine if you were treated with antibodies or plasma?

If you were treated for COVID-19 symptoms with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Who should not take the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine?

If you have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (such as polyethylene glycol), you should not get this vaccine. If you had a severe allergic reaction after getting a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, you should not get another dose of an mRNA vaccine.

Are antibodies beneficial during the COVID-19 pandemic?

When reinfections or breakthrough infections happen, having antibodies plays an important role in helping prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. For many diseases, including COVID-19, antibodies are expected to decrease or “wane” over time.

What does a positive COVID-19 antigen test result mean?

Positive test results using a viral test (NAAT or antigen) in persons with signs or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 indicate that the person has COVID-19, independent of vaccination status of the person.

Who is not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine?

Children younger than age 5 years are not eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine at this time unless part of a clinical trial. Children and adolescents younger than age 18 years are not eligible to receive the Moderna or Janssen COVID-19 vaccines at this time.