Viral latency

Viral latency is a state where a virus hides within the body's cells without causing symptoms or actively replicating. During this period, the virus remains dormant, avoiding detection by the immune system. It can later reactivate, multiplying and causing symptoms again, often triggered by factors like stress or illness. Examples include herpes viruses and HIV, which can stay in a latent state for years before reactivating. Latency allows the virus to persist in the body long-term, making it challenging to completely eliminate.