How long to get over COVID?

The acute phase usually refers to the period when symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, or body aches are most active. Afterward, energy, concentration, sleep, smell, and taste may recover on separate timelines. A brief improvement followed by tiredness after activity can happen during recovery.

Symptoms that remain for a prolonged period may fit Long COVID, but they can also have other causes. A healthcare professional can review your history, examine you, and decide whether further checks are appropriate.

Choose a small number of necessary tasks each day and pause before you become exhausted. Resume routine activities in stages, with lighter versions of exercise first. Protect sleep, drink regularly, and eat enough to support healing.

Note changes in fatigue, joint pain, mood, concentration, smell, taste, breathing, and sleep. A symptom diary is especially useful if exertion causes worsening later the same day or the following day. Avoid comparing your pace with another person’s recovery.

Seek urgent help if you have severe breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, fainting, blue or grey lips, or cannot stay awake. Arrange prompt medical advice for worsening symptoms, returning fever, dehydration, new palpitations, or fatigue that prevents basic activities.

Ask what recovery milestones are reasonable for you, how to increase activity, and whether persistent symptoms need tests or another specialist. Bring your symptom diary and describe what happens after physical or mental effort.