Which of the following can lay dormant for long periods of time?

A) Bacteria
B) Fungi
C) Parasites
D) Viruses

Viruses can lay dormant for long periods of time, sometimes even years, in a state called latency. During latency, the virus is not actively replicating or causing disease, but can be reactivated at a later time when conditions are favorable. This is seen in viruses such as HIV, herpes simplex virus, and varicella-zoster virus. Bacteria, fungi, and parasites can also form dormant or spore-like structures, but generally do not remain dormant for as long as viruses.