Question

discuss the concept of latency for common viral diseases. Consider some examples of diseases that have a latent period and how this ties in with our needs as dental healthcare workers to treat every patient with standard/universal precautions.

Answer 1

Viral Latency - This is lysogenic part of the life cycle of virus in which the virus remain dormant . In this phase viral DNA either becomes integrated with the host cell genome or exists as a free plasmid in the host cell and replicates synchronously with it causing no harm to the host cell.

Latency period of :

HIV - years

Herpes zoster virus - decades

These viruses remains dormant and may become reactivated following stress,trauma,malnutrition and immunosupppression,fever,radiation.

So patients must be examined and diagnosed even after the completion of the therapy.

antibiotics should always given to prevent secondary infection.