How long till you felt better after having covid (no doctor or hospital needed)?

[Nothavingfunrightnow]

I guess this question is akin to "How long is a piece of string?"

I'm in my 3rd week off work. I'm exhausted, miserable, headachey. How long till I'm back to my normal self? If it's not long covid, is 3 or 4 weeks the norm? I can't face the thought of full time back at work next week. It feels too hard to do that. I'm wiped out.

Perhaps I'm just looking for permission to feel as crap as I do despite it being 3 weeks.

Yes, I'm double vaccinated.

I was fine at day 7 apart from a nuisance cough.
Double vaccinated, 50's, asthmatic.

I was over the most acute symptoms after 5 days. I'm now at the 3 week mark and still have some residual fatigue and brain fog that comes and goes. I've had a few busy days this week and each time found I struggled the following day. It hasn't stopped me doing anything though but I definitely don't feel 100% right yet.

I was positive on 28th October, this week is the first week I've felt normal again. I'm a double jabbed NHS frontline worker with no underlying health issues and usually very healthy.

Double vaccinated- it honestly was just a bit of a cold. I was on holiday, but if I’d have been in work I could’ve worked through.

Week 6-7 my brain fog lifted. Back at work part-time from week 3, but should have had longerr off. full time week 7.

I tested positive on the 11th and I'm still off work. Still got a pesky horrible cough and get tired after doing anything. Also itchy eyes which are so annoying. Got signed off this week as I don't think I'm physically or emotionally ready to go back. Brain not working properly as I keep injuring myself!

You have permission to feel crap! 3-4 week recovery not unusual. Have you spoken to work about going back? Maybe a 'staged return' would be something to consider? So instead of going back full-time straight away, you might do mornings only for a week or two, so as not to get too tired.

Tested positive 3 weeks ago today. I went back to work on the day after my isolation ended (because it was a Monday, not because I took the extra day). I felt a bit shit until the Thursday, which was 2 weeks after positive test. I'm back to normal now - taste and smell have arrived back over the last couple of days. I've been swimming every other day since day 11, and started running again this week.

@landofgiants, yes, I have been talking with work and my line manager has been very decent about it, suggesting I see occupational health. I think I will look at going back part time next week. Hopefully I can continue that way till end of term.

It is the physical and emotional readiness for work that's my issue, too. I agree :(

I feel fatigued for 3 weeks after first getting it, just like I was a bit blah about going out of isolation. My brain is always foggy though, I have very young kids who don't believe in sleep.

I felt run down for a few weeks after a very mild case. My husband, who was quite ill for three weeks, took a few months to feel better.

But there is nothing wrong with just allowing yourself to take time to build back up. I had mono when I was 21, it took me a year to feel myself again, stop sleeping long hours, etc.

3 weeks for me. The 3rd week I was on holiday & determined to just crack on & enjoy it. I dosed up on painkillers & coffee and ended up able to do one day on, one day off. So a day trip to the farm on Friday, a day just pottering around the holiday home on Saturday and so on. I think it helped build my stamina back up & I was fine by the end of the 3rd week.

Today is 3 weeks since my symptoms started and I'm feeling so much better. Lots better than yesterday even.

I will be going back to work Monday with a combo of WFH and being on site.

I appreciate everyone's replies. Thank you.

3 weeks when I felt better but was still v tired for another 2 so 5 weeks until I felt completely normal again

First time about two months till I experienced no headaches and no nauseous feelings. Second time around about 3 weeks till completely better

Was a month before I could even manage a whole evening on the sofa.

Symptoms started 26/11 - still not right - tight chest - pains in back - headaches - so roughly coming up to 3 weeks - other people seem to bounce back quickly - I did not have cll lookassjc symptoms of cough, loss of smell or taste symptoms - just felt like bad flu ! however childhood asthma has resurfaced and now getting some acupuncture as recommended by doctor

1 year, 3 weeks…

To anyone that’s thinking they can just push through… just don’t. Your body can only take so much it seems.

Just rest OP and give yourself plenty of time.

I'm into my fourth week and still signed off and not feeling right. Got bad fatigue, brain fog and horrid muscle aches. A bit scared now of how long I'm going to feel like this but trying to prioritise rest. @fabcar sorry to hear you've been suffering with it so long x

Between 2 and 3 weeks from start of symptoms. Cough lingered on and then was gone by the 4 week mark.

Nearly 60, autoimmune desease, fully vaccinated.
Had an ordinary cold (no cough, no fever), LTF/PCR turned positive. From positive test to "cold over" 5 days. Then I had to spend the rest of my isolation totally healthy and WFH.

It varies massively. Some people have no symptoms at all so are obviously fine throughout. Others have long covid, and pretty much everything in between