How Long Does COVID Last in the Body?

Symptoms of COVID are generally short-lived, with most people able to recover from mild cases in a matter of days. However, some people experience lingering health problems after they have been infected. These symptoms may involve an array of organ systems.

One of the most common symptoms is fatigue, which can be severe and affecting a person's everyday functioning. Another is abdominal pain. It is thought that COVID may affect cells in the intestine, which may contribute to this symptom.

Some people report brain fog and difficulty sleeping after having been infected with COVID. Other people suffer from lingering illnesses, such as depression and joint pain. The odds of a person having these long-term effects are quite low, but it's not impossible.

There are several factors that influence how long COVID lasts in the body. For instance, the virus may survive longer on a surface that is non-porous than on a porous surface. It is also possible to catch COVID before you experience any symptoms. This is called the incubation period.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that most people with mild coronavirus symptoms will recover within a few weeks. But for others, recovery from COVID can take as long as twelve weeks.

The CDC advises that you get the COVID vaccine if you haven't already. The success rates for this vaccination vary, depending on your age and other factors.

Other factors that may influence how long COVID lasts in your body include a weakened immune system. This means that you are more susceptible to reinfection.