Illness & Symptoms
How long does COVID last?
Estimated wait
~14 days
Based on published sources
Timeline guide
- Faster cases~14 days
- Average cases~14 days
- Slower casesUp to 21 days
Symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks are a distinct condition (long COVID), not the normal course. A lingering cough or tiredness is not the same as still being ill or contagious.
For most mild-to-moderate cases, people feel substantially better within about one to two weeks and largely recover within a few weeks. A CDC study of outpatients found roughly two-thirds had returned to their usual health within 2–3 weeks; the NHS says "most people feel better within a few weeks".
More details
Duration is highly variable and strain-dependent. A lingering cough, fatigue or loss of taste/smell can persist after the acute illness without meaning you are still infectious.
Last updated: 4 Jul 2026
Information is for general knowledge only.