Adisease in which the causative agent remains inactive for a time before producing symptoms is referred to as subclinical. zoonotic. subacute. latent. acute

A disease in which the causative agent remains inactive for a time before producing symptoms is referred to as latent.

For example, latent viruses can enter the body and can incorporate their genetic material into the host. It then replicates along with the host's own genetic material. This does not trigger an immune response. The virus though has a code to reverse its latent state, which at that point would cause symptoms.