What Does Recovery From COVID-19 Look Like?

COVID-19—an infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus—first appeared in late 2019 and can manifest in several ways, ranging from no or mild symptoms to severe or critical illness.

While most people with COVID-19 fully recover, the timeline for this recovery process varies. Also, some individuals do go on to experience long-term health problems—what's known as long COVID or post-COVID-19 conditions.

This article will discuss COVID-19 recovery, including a general timeline and the challenges a person may experience. It will also review strategies a person can implement at home to help optimize their recovery process.

COVID-19 Recovery Rates

Several research studies have reported COVID-19 rates of recovery and fatality, which are how many people with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 get better or die as a result of the disease.

The problem is that estimating fatality and recovery rates can be misleading. COVID-19 may cause no symptoms, so data on people who are not tested cannot be reported. Moreover, studies vary considerably in design and populations included (e.g., different ages and locations).

Scientific studies suggest the fatality rate in unvaccinated people to be between 0.15% and 1%; although, knowledge about COVID-19 is evolving, and so many factors, especially age, seem to affect prognosis.

While most people infected with COVID-19 recover, those who are most vulnerable to dying are people hospitalized for severe illness, especially if they are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU)

One study—which included 30 studies analyzing over 13,000 people from different countries hospitalized with COVID-19—reported a recovery rate of up to 94% in hospitalized people and 65% in people admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Risk Factors For Severe Illness

Adults aged 65 years or older are most likely to have severe illness from COVID-19 (e.g., pneumonia) and be hospitalized. Certain underlying health conditions (e.g., chronic lung disease or diabetes) also increase a person's risk for severe illness.

How You May Feel While Recovering

Recovering from COVID-19 is a unique journey, depending on factors like age, disease severity, symptoms, and whether a person has other health conditions.

The good news is that most people have mild symptoms, although these symptoms can take several days, if not weeks, to get better.

If you had a severe illness and were hospitalized, know that your recovery is going to be slower and more involved.

To improve strength and build endurance, you may need multiple follow-up visits with a healthcare provider or see various rehabilitation therapists, such as a physical therapist.

In addition to the physical symptoms of a COVID-19 infection, the illness often has emotional, social, and psychological consequences.

For example, some people, especially those experiencing persistent fatigue, shortness of breath, or lack of energy, report difficulties caring for their children or grandchildren, performing household chores, or engaging in leisure or social activities.

This can lead to isolation, loneliness, and negative emotions like guilt, frustration, and sadness.

If you are experiencing any of these hardships or emotions, don't hesitate to contact loved ones for support and comfort. You may also ask a provider to refer you to a counselor or therapist during this trying time.

What’s the Timeline for COVID Recovery?

The timeline for COVID-19 recovery refers to the period between the date of confirmed infection and recovery from the illness.

The typical timeline for recovery from COVID-19 is highly variable and based on factors like age, sex, disease severity, vaccination status, and whether a person has underlying health problems.

Specific COVID-19-related symptoms (e.g., trouble breathing) and the potential use of certain treatments can also affect the recovery timeline.

All said, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people with COVID-19 recover within one month, although it can take up to 12 weeks.

Similarly, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), people with moderate COVID-19 infection generally recover in two weeks, whereas those with a serious illness recover in three to six weeks.

How Long Is Someone Contagious With COVID-19?

People infected with COVID-19 can transmit the virus from one to two days before and up to eight to 10 days after symptoms start. People with no symptoms can also transmit the virus.

Long COVID Recovery

Long COVID means symptoms from an acute COVID-19 infection have been present for at least three months.

Symptoms can be continuous, come and go, and/or worsen or change over time. New symptoms may also emerge after a COVID-19 illness.

Over 200 long COVID health symptoms have been reported. Common ones include:

• Fatigue
• Brain fog (difficulty with concentration, memory, multi-tasking)
• Post-exertional malaise (fatigue symptoms after mental or physical activity)
• Dizziness
• Digestive symptoms like stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation
• Chest pain and palpitations
• Change in sexual desire or function
• Loss of or changes in taste and smell

Other symptoms may include breathlessness, sleep problems, muscle aches, depression, anxiety, recurring headaches, and trouble speaking.

How Common Is Long COVID-19?

According to the CDC, in 2022, 6.9% of adults and 1.3% of children in the United States reported experiencing long COVID in the past or currently.

Other organizations, like the WHO, report that between 10% to 20% of people with COVID-19 may go on to develop post-COVID-19 conditions.

Experts cannot predict the recovery from long COVID, although most people's symptoms do get better.

While anyone can develop long COVID-19, experts find that certain factors increase a person's risk. Some of these factors include:

• Women
• Hispanic ethnicity
• People with an underlying medical condition(s)
• People who experienced a more severe COVID-19 course
• People who did not get a COVID-19 vaccine

A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology

Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related concepts, but they are not the same. To accurately reflect our sources, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.

Can You Become Reinfected With COVID?

Yes, you can get reinfected with COVID-19, meaning you can become infected with the virus, recover, and get infected again. This cycle can also repeat itself—so a person can get infected multiple times with COVID-19.

How to Feel Better

Besides time and support from loved ones, specific strategies to help you feel better as you recover from COVID-19 include the following.

Eating Healthy Foods

Even though you may have a poor appetite, it's crucial to continue eating nutrient-dense foods. Healthy foods rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals will help support your immune system and protect against muscle breakdown.

Try eating frequent small meals, with a goal of consuming 75 to 100 grams of protein daily. Protein sources include peanut or almond butter, meat, fish, chicken, eggs, beans, peas, lentils, nuts and seeds, and soy products (e.g., tofu and tempeh).

Also, be sure to incorporate fresh fruits, raw vegetables, and whole grains (e.g., oatmeal) into your daily meals, and avoid foods high in fat, salt, and sugar.

If your nutritional intake is poor, discuss supplementing with protein shakes or other nutritional drinks with a healthcare provider.

Drinking Lots of Fluids

Hydration is also essential to fighting off viral infections like COVID-19. Aim to drink 8 to 10 cups of water daily, even if you drink a few ounces every 15 minutes.

Avoid sweetened juices and soda containing sugar; instead, consider fruit-infused water or unsweetened tea.

Relieving Fever and Pain

If you have a fever, headache, or muscle or joint aches, consider taking an over-the-counter (OTC) medication like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) for pain or fever.

Precaution for OTC Medication

Due to potential adverse effects, not everyone can take Tylenol or NSAIDs. Only take these drugs after speaking with a healthcare provider to ensure they are safe and appropriate for your care.

Other home remedies to ease pain include applying an ice pack to your head or neck for a headache or placing a heating pad on sore muscles/joints.

Resting

During COVID-19 recovery, giving your body and mind time to rest and heal is important. Structure your day so that you can take frequent breaks and conserve energy.

For example, you might do one household chore and lie down for 20 minutes before starting the next chore. It is also sensible to outsource chores, such as having a friend or neighbor deliver your groceries or mow your lawn, if possible.

Likewise, if you are socializing or are caring for children, opt for activities that are less strenuous on your body, like watching a movie, playing board games, or taking short walks outside.

In the end, coping with a COVID-19 infection physically and emotionally varies from person to person. Be proactive in your care, and do not hesitate to contact a provider for specific guidance on nutrition or physical activity.

Summary

COVID-19 is a recent disease, and its nature (e.g., treatment and prevention) has changed since the early stages of the pandemic.

The good news is that most people recover from being sick from COVID-19. Hospitalizations and fatality rates from confirmed COVID-19 infections have decreased remarkably worldwide since 2020.

The specific timeline for recovering from COVID-19 varies based on several factors, like age and the presence of other health problems. All said, most people recover within two to four weeks unless they have a severe illness, in which case it may take up to 12 weeks.

Unfortunately, some people develop long COVID-19, when symptoms from a COVID-19 infection are present for three months or more. While experts believe that those with long COVID improve eventually, the highly variable symptoms can be debilitating.

If you (or a loved one) are recovering from a COVID-19 infection, establish routines that help conserve your energy and reach out to loved ones for support and encouragement.

Also, practice healthy lifestyle behaviors like eating a protein-rich diet, drinking plenty of water, and contacting your provider for medication guidance to help ease symptoms.

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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By Colleen Doherty, MD
Dr. Doherty is a board-certified internist and writer living with multiple sclerosis. She is based in Chicago.

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