dormant virus
Inactive infectious agent
A dormant virus is one that has infected a host but remains inactive, not replicating or causing symptoms.
The virus persists in cells, evading the immune system until triggered to reactivate—sometimes years later.
Herpes viruses are classic examples: after initial infection, they stay dormant in nerve cells and can flare up during stress or illness.
The shingles outbreak came from a dormant virus she'd carried since childhood.
- latentPresent but inactive
- inactiveNot currently functioning
- sleepingUnconscious rest state
- lying in waitHidden before an attack
- hiddenKept out of sight
reactivation · herpes · chickenpox · flare · flare up · trigger · immune · immune system · cells · nerve cells · DNA · host · host cell · lurking · awakening · remission · carrier · asymptomatic
- dormant lifespore, cyst, seed, tardigrade, brine shrimp
dormant virusacute infection
Fast-developing microbial disease
outbreak · flare-up · viral illness · shingles · AIDS
dormant, virus, dormancy, dorm, dormitory, dormitories, viruses, virally, virology