What is an example of a latent viral infection?

A latent viral infection is characterized by the virus remaining in a dormant state within the host's body after the initial infection, meaning it does not actively replicate or cause symptoms until it's reactivated. The Herpes simplex virus is a classic example of this phenomenon. After the initial infection, which may present with symptoms such as sores or fever, the virus can remain asymptomatic in nerve ganglia for long periods. Periodically, factors such as stress or immunosuppression can trigger reactivation, leading to recurrent symptoms like cold sores or genital lesions.

While the other options listed represent viral infections with significant health impacts, they do not exhibit the same pattern of latency following the initial infection. Influenza virus, for example, causes acute respiratory illness and is not associated with long-term dormancy. Human Immunodeficiency Virus can lead to a chronic infection phase but behaves differently from typical latent viruses, as it actively replicates over time, leading to AIDS if untreated. Cytomegalovirus can remain dormant, but its reactivation is more commonly associated with immunocompromised individuals and does not exemplify latency in the same way as the Herpes simplex virus.