Virology
A latent infection is a type of viral infection where the virus remains in the host's body in a dormant state after the initial infection, often evading the immune system. This means that the virus does not actively replicate or cause symptoms during this period but can reactivate later, leading to the potential for new infections. Understanding latent infections is crucial in studying viral replication and comparing how different viruses utilize lytic and lysogenic cycles for their life cycles.
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