Which term describes a long-lasting infection that may recur after periods of remission?

Which term describes a long-lasting infection that may recur after periods of remission?

• A. Latent Infection
• B. Acute Infection
• C. Chronic Infection
• D. Subclinical Infection

Answer: (A)

Latent infection describes a long-lasting infection that can recur after periods of remission. In this pattern, the pathogen hides in the body in a dormant state after the initial illness, so symptoms disappear for a while, but the organism can reactivate later and cause a flare again. This is different from an acute infection, which comes on quickly and is usually short in duration; a chronic infection, which persists with ongoing symptoms or continuous presence of the organism; and a subclinical infection, where a person is infected but has no noticeable symptoms. Classic examples include herpes viruses, which can reactivate after dormancy.

Latent infection describes a long-lasting infection that can recur after periods of remission. In this pattern, the pathogen hides in the body in a dormant state after the initial illness, so symptoms disappear for a while, but the organism can reactivate later and cause a flare again. This is different from an acute infection, which comes on quickly and is usually short in duration; a chronic infection, which persists with ongoing symptoms or continuous presence of the organism; and a subclinical infection, where a person is infected but has no noticeable symptoms. Classic examples include herpes viruses, which can reactivate after dormancy.