What type of infection occurs after a period of dormancy?

A latent infection is characterized by a period of dormancy where the pathogen resides in the host without causing symptoms. Over time, the pathogen can reactivate and lead to disease, which distinguishes it from other types of infections. During the dormant phase, the individual may be asymptomatic but can still harbor the infectious agent. This is commonly seen with viruses like herpes simplex virus, which can remain inactive within nerve cells and later reactivate to cause outbreaks.

In contrast, acute infections typically present with rapid onset of symptoms and are cleared in a short time, while chronic infections persist over an extended period but usually do not have the dormancy phase characteristic of latent infections. Subclinical infections may not present noticeable symptoms but are also not defined by a dormant state followed by reactivation. Thus, the definition of a latent infection aligns perfectly with the description given in the question.