More than 1.3 million people have recovered from the coronavirus — and are likely now immune. But painful symptoms may last far longer than people realize.

U.S. Navy/Chief Mass Communication Specialist Barry Riley/Handout via Reuters

• More than 1.3 million people worldwide have recovered from the coronavirus.
• Recovered COVID-19 patients may have a residual cough or fatigue for weeks after major symptoms disappear.
• Though long-term effects remain unclear, patients who develop severe pneumonia could come away with scarred lungs and reduced lung function.
• Recovery likely means immunity, at least for a period of time, so people who were once infected could go back to work with low risk of reinfection.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Most people who get the coronavirus recover. More than 1.3 million such cases have been documented worldwide.

"Eventually, if all goes well, your immune system will completely destroy all of the virus in your system," Tom Duszynski, director of epidemiology education at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, wrote in The Conversation. "A person who was infected with and survived a virus with no long-term health effects or disabilities has 'recovered.'"

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• 'COVID toes' might be the latest unusual sign that people are infected with the novel coronavirus

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