The incubation period of the coronavirus has decreased to 3-4 days – research

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists claimed that symptoms of the disease could appear within 7-10 days after infection. However, according to the results of new research, the incubation period has now been significantly reduced – to 3-4 days, depending on the strain of the coronavirus.

This is stated in a study conducted by American scientists, based on data from 2022 and 2023, writes Time.

The incubation period is the time from contact with the virus to the appearance of the first symptoms. At the beginning of the pandemic, scientists claimed that one should wait 10-14 days for symptoms to appear. But research data from 2022 indicate otherwise: the duration of the incubation period is decreasing:

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• on average, about five days – for the Alpha strain;
• about 4.5 days – for the Beta and Delta strains;
• three days or even less for Omicron.

Currently, discussions among scientists are focused on JN.1 – a new variant of the coronavirus, which is called the “descendant” of Omicron. JN.1 was first detected in the United States in September 2023, but already in December, the number of people infected with it increased sharply.

This variant is dangerous because it easily penetrates into human cells. Scientists note that it is more difficult for the human immune system to cope with it, but there is no evidence that it causes serious diseases.

Its initial symptoms are the same as when infected with other strains of the virus: itching and sore throat, fever, headache and nasal congestion. As for the length of the incubation period, it’s too early to say for sure, but Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, predicts that the JN.1 virus will be about the same as other strains.

Scientists name several reasons for shortening the incubation period. Shane Crotty, a virologist and chief scientist at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology, says the virus has evolved over time to become faster and “more adept” at infecting humans.

“The symptoms are related to the activation of the immune system. After contact with the patient, your immune system has not yet had time to sound the alarm, and this is not very good. The shorter the incubation period, the faster the body recognizes the virus and starts the mechanism to fight it.” says Shane Crotty.

The time of manifestation of the first symptoms also depends on many factors, in particular, the amount of the virus and the level of human immunity.

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Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, emphasizes that the incubation period is a statistical probability. Therefore, symptoms may appear earlier or later. And it happens that infection can be avoided altogether.

It will be recalled that scientists previously found that people who have contracted COVID-19 are more likely to experience shortness of breath, fatigue, memory loss or headaches compared to people who have never had the coronavirus.

Vira Shurmakevich, “UP. Life”

Read also: Why do children tolerate COVID-19 more easily than adults? Scientists have guesses