When a virus persists inside the host in an inactive state, this is specifically referred to as .

When a virus persists inside the host in an inactive state, this is specifically referred to as latency. During latency, the virus remains in the host's body without causing any symptoms or disease. It can be compared to a dormant state where the viral genome is present, but the virus is not actively replicating or producing new viral particles. This state is significant in various viral infections, such as herpesviruses, where the virus can reactivate later due to certain triggers like stress, immunosuppression, or other factors. Understanding latency is crucial for developing treatments and vaccines, as well as for comprehending how viruses can re-emerge after periods of inactivity.