How Long Does Covid Last – Not just COVID, but every disease in the world is complicated. You are going to have so many questions even if you learn as much as possible regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The spread of COVID-19 started in Wuhan, China, back in November 2019 and is still affecting the lives of the whole world. There have been so many restrictions on traveling for the last two and a half years. We cannot sit together in a restaurant or have indoor gatherings.
At the same time, the recent rise in the positive cases of COVID-19 in the United States has pushed the same questions once again regarding the COVID. One of the most popular questions to debate these days is how long does COVID last?
The latest sub-variants of omicron are not as deadly as other variants, but we are watching more infectious ones. Anyone can easily catch over 19 these days, but the intensity of symptoms And mortality rate have been going down.
Let’s take a look at some things which can impact the whole timeline of starting COVID-19 to complete recovery.
Basic timeline before symptoms
The Centers for Disease Control and prevention believe that it takes around 2 to 14 days to develop symptoms of COVID-19 once you and counter someone infected with the virus.
The time frame of two to 14 days is a much bigger timeframe, and several teams of scientists are doing intensive research on the wireless to shorten the time frame and get more clear results.
Some people who are already struggling with chronic diseases might develop symptoms even after the second day of their encounter with someone infected.
It is a very weird case, and the Centers for Disease Control and prevention categorized those people as immune-compromised over people at high risk of developing severe symptoms.
Most studies on the time frame of COVID-19 suggest that people start developing the symptoms of COVID-19 after the 5th to 7th day of their encounter with someone infected with COVID-19.
People with a good immune system might take around 10 to 14 days to develop symptoms related to COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and prevention have mentioned on its official website that around 1% of people might even develop symptoms after 14 days of their and counter someone being infected.
Duration of Symptoms
The latest sub-variants of COVID-19 are much more infectious as compared to other variants, but they do not impose as big a risk as they used to.
Even if you look at the data, the positivity rate and rate of hospitalization are much lower as compared to previous months.
Once people start developing symptoms, it can last in your system for around 7 to 10 days. The Centers for Disease Control and prevention have mentioned in their several guidelines that you should keep an eye on your symptoms for around 7 to 10 days once you start developing these symptoms.
Kindly do not include yours before the symptom timeframe along with the duration of symptoms. You should only count the day you first start experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19.
The isolation and quarantine guidelines related to COVID-19 released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also suggested that you should stay isolated and keep testing yourself regularly till the 10th day.
When to see a doctor?
Nobody can tell you when you should go and see a doctor. It depends on you and your symptoms.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has specific guidelines for people who are developing severe symptoms of COVID-19.
Regardless of the day of your symptoms, you should consult with your doctor if you have any chronic disease. People who are already suffering from any other disease are at higher risk of developing some weird symptoms of COVID-19, which can be deadly.
People who are already struggling with lung diseases, diabetes, and other chronic diseases should consult with their doctor and get hospitalized if required.
- In case you start developing breathing issues, you should either call 911 or consult with your doctor. Breathing issues are not common symptoms, and You should consult with your doctor as early as possible.
- If your symptoms do not get better after the 5th to 7th day of its starting, then you should consult with your doctor.
- Any symptoms related to changes in your skin color, lips, or nails should be consulted with your doctor.
- Lastly, in case you develop any symptoms not related to COVID-19, then you should consult with your doctor.
Isolation for positive cases
The Centers for Disease Control and prevention have a simple set of guidelines for people who tested positive for COVID-19. These guidelines are applicable to both vaccinated and non-vaccinated people.
Regardless of your vaccination status, you should isolate yourself for at least five days once you start developing symptoms related to COVID-19 and you have encountered someone with an infection.
You are not advised to travel until the 10th day of the start of your symptoms. If you are up to date with your vaccine and you have to travel with an infection, then you should follow all the precautions.
You should keep testing yourself at regular intervals of five days. You can end your isolation if you spend 24 hours fever free without any medication.
Kindly do not meet anyone with chronic disease or immune-compromised. At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommend you not remove your mask.
In case you do not develop any symptoms even after getting a positive test report, you can end your isolation after the 5th day. Under any circumstances, you should keep tracking your symptoms till the 10th day.
What is long COVID?
Long COVID is a technical term coined by health experts. Researchers have already concluded that even if you get better from COVID-19, it is going to stay in your system for a longer period. At the same time, its damage might take a lot of time to recover.