When untreated, syphilis progresses through primary, secondary and latent stages.

The latent (hidden) stage of syphilis begins when secondary symptoms disappear.

Herpesviruses are 'to creep' in that they may enter a latent stage and inactively infect the host.

In the "latent" stage, the syphilis has few or no symptoms: it is not visible or obvious.

If untreated, an infected person will progress to the latent (hidden) stage of syphilis.

This symptom-free period is called the latent (hidden) stage.

There should be a latent stage of the disease.

The latent stage is defined as the year after a person becomes infected.

Some cats stay in this latent stage for only a few months, but for some it can last for years.

Some researchers believe it might be prevented at the latent autoimmune stage, before it starts destroying beta cells.