Most viruses last between 1 to 2 weeks in the body.
But it all depends on the type of virus that someone has or the type of virus that is on a surface and what type of surface the virus is on.
Viruses usually live longer on hard surfaces than they do on soft surfaces.
For example a virus such as the flu or cold virus may only live a few hours to as long as 24 to 48 hours on a soft surface such as a shirt, pillow case, pillow, bedding etc.
But the same viruses may live for 4 to 7 days on a hard surface such as a countertop, doorknob, computer mouse, desk, computer keyboard etc.
Most people who get the cold or flu virus typically recover from that flu or cold virus within a few weeks.