Final answer:
Viruses establish a latent infection in the host through viral latency, where the virus remains hidden or dormant inside the host cell. This can occur through circular viral genome molecules or by integrating into the host genome as proviruses. Examples of viruses with latent infections include herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus.
Step-by-step explanation:
Viral latency is a process by which viruses establish a latent infection in the host. During latency, the virus hides or remains dormant inside the host cell, not causing any symptoms or disease. There are two ways in which viruses establish a latent infection:
- Circular viral genome molecules: Some viruses exist as circular viral genome molecules outside of the host chromosome during latency. They can remain hidden for long periods of time until they are ready to reactivate and cause a new infection.
- Proviruses: Other viruses integrate into the host genome and become proviruses. They become a permanent part of the host DNA and can remain dormant until they are triggered to reactivate.
Examples of viruses that cause latent infections in humans include herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, and Epstein-Barr virus.