What is a characteristic of a latent infection?

A latent infection is characterized by the potential to remain dormant in the body for an extended period of time before it may reactivate and cause symptoms. This aligns with the chosen answer, which highlights that symptoms may not appear until much later, even years after the initial infection.

Conditions such as herpes simplex virus or tuberculosis can illustrate this concept well, as individuals may not show any signs of illness for a long time, yet the pathogens remain in the body. This delayed manifestation is a fundamental aspect of latent infections, distinguishing them from acute infections that present symptoms shortly after exposure.

Other characteristics of latent infections include the fact that they are typically not immediately symptomatic or easily treatable; treatment may be necessary when symptoms occur or during episodes of reactivation, but this does not imply that they are easily managed at all times. Therefore, the correct option captures the essence of what it means for an infection to be classified as latent.