As Covid-19 continues to spread throughout the world, it’s increasingly likely someone we know will catch it, even ourselves. There’s no need to panic about this. That’s because most will recover. However, recovery times from the Covid-19 illness vary according to the severity of the infection. The following is a brief overview of what we know.
Factors Affecting Recovery Times from the Covid-19 Illness
Immunity, general state of health, socio-economic influencers, pre-existing diseases, and demographic factors all affect the path to recovery. Covid-19 need not mean we are entering a new phase. However, it is a call to take appropriate action fast. That’s because both the duration, and the depth of treatment affect recovery times from this coronavirus illness.
A dry cough or a fever could both be indicators of a mild bout of Covid-19. Accompanying symptoms might include body aches, fatigue, headache, and a sore throat. The cough may start producing mucus. Treatment involves resting up in bed at home, taking plenty fluids, and a paracetamol-type pain killer if needed. Recovery could be as short as a week.
However, the Situation Could Change After Seven to Ten Days
Covid-19 sometimes takes a more serious, perhaps sudden turn, especially if the factors we mentioned affecting the extent of recovery are present. We may have to move on from home care as breathing becomes difficult, and inflammation spreads to the lungs.
This may be a sign the body’s natural defenses are over-reacting. A period in hospital may become necessary to receive oxygen therapy. Recovery times from this level of the Covid-19 illness may take two to eight weeks, as tiredness and fatigue linger.
However, five per cent of patients will move on to intensive care. There they may be sedated and put on a ventilator, but return to a regular ward when they start to recover. This may take twelve to eighteen months in total, as is often the case after a period in intensive care. We don’t have enough clinical information to be more specific than that.
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Preview Image: Map of Confirmed Cases Per Capita
