COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild to severe: The symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe, and the severity of the illness can affect the length of time it takes to recover.
Individuals with mild cases of COVID-19 may recover within a few weeks.
Individuals with severe cases of COVID-19, including those who are hospitalised, may take longer to recover.
Some individuals may continue to experience ongoing symptoms, known as long COVID or post-COVID conditions, even after their initial illness has resolved. These symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of breath, and difficulty concentrating, among others.
The length of time that an individual is contagious with COVID-19 may vary. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most individuals with COVID-19 are no longer contagious 10 days after the onset of symptoms.
However, in some cases, individuals may continue to shed the virus for longer periods of time, and it is possible to transmit the virus to others even after the symptoms have resolved.
The presence of COVID-19 antibodies, or proteins produced by the immune system in response to a COVID-19 infection, does not necessarily indicate immunity.