How long does covid stay in your system
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Duration of COVID-19 in the Human System
Incubation Period of COVID-19
The incubation period of COVID-19, which is the time between exposure to the virus and the onset of symptoms, has been estimated to have a median duration of approximately 5.1 days. Most individuals (97.5%) who develop symptoms will do so within 11.5 days of infection. This period is crucial for understanding the timing of quarantine and monitoring measures.
Latent Period and Infectiousness
The latent period, which is the time from infection to the point when an individual becomes infectious, is slightly shorter than the incubation period, with a mean duration of 5.5 days. Most COVID-19 cases shed the virus within 10.6 days of infection, indicating that the infectious period typically begins shortly after the latent period ends.
Duration of Infectiousness
For individuals with mild-to-moderate COVID-19, the infectious period generally does not extend beyond 10 days after symptom onset. However, for those with severe or critical illness, or for immunocompromised patients, the virus can be isolated for a longer period, sometimes up to 32 days. This extended infectious period in severe cases underscores the need for prolonged isolation and monitoring in these patients.
Hospitalization and ICU Stay
The length of hospital stay (LoS) for COVID-19 patients varies significantly. In China, the median hospital LoS is around 14 days, whereas outside China, it is approximately 5 days. For ICU stays, the median duration is similar across different regions, ranging from 7 to 8 days. These durations are influenced by the severity of the disease and the healthcare system's criteria for admission and discharge.
Long COVID and Persistent Symptoms
Long COVID refers to the persistence of symptoms for an extended period after the initial infection. Studies have shown that up to 60% of patients may experience symptoms such as fatigue, dyspnea, and neuropsychological disturbances even 12 to 18 months post-infection. Another study found that 38% of patients had persistent symptoms at a median follow-up of 22.6 months, with common issues including fatigue, altered taste and smell, and cognitive difficulties. Factors such as older age, higher body mass index, and the number of symptoms during the acute phase are predictors of long COVID.
Conclusion
COVID-19 remains in the human system for varying durations depending on the phase of the disease and the severity of the infection. The incubation period is around 5 days, with the infectious period typically lasting up to 10 days for mild-to-moderate cases but potentially longer for severe cases. Hospital stays can range from a few days to several weeks, and a significant proportion of patients may experience long-term symptoms lasting many months. Understanding these timelines is essential for effective management and containment of the virus.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic