Tag: Latent infection

It is estimated that one-fourth of the global population is infected with *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* but remains asymptomatic, a classic example of a latent infection. A **period of latency** is the time that passes between initial exposure to a pathogen or risk factor and the clinical manifestation of a disease.

While many diseases announce their presence with clear symptoms, a significant number of conditions progress silently. This raises the question: what is another name for a subclinical disease, and what makes these conditions so challenging to identify without medical screening?

According to the CDC, many infectious diseases spread through subclinical infections, where individuals are contagious but show no signs of illness. Understanding **what is the difference between subclinical and latent?** is therefore crucial for grasping disease dynamics and public health interventions.

In obstetrics, the latent stage of labor is often the longest phase, sometimes lasting for days. The phrase "what does the latent stage mean" is also relevant in other medical fields, such as infectious diseases, and describes a period of preparation or dormancy before active symptoms appear.

According to the CDC, many infectious diseases have asymptomatic carriers who unknowingly spread pathogens. So, what's it called when you have a disease but no symptoms? The answer is more complex than a single word, involving different phases and types of illness.

Over 90% of adults are believed to have been infected with the Epstein-Barr virus, which can lie dormant for a lifetime, yet only reactivate under certain conditions. Understanding **what diseases go dormant** is key to recognizing how your body's immune system battles infections long-term.