Q. What is signifying when it is said that a virus is in an inactive state?
Viruses considered in inactive state are those whose genetic material is within host cells without assemblage of new virus and synthesis of viral proteins. The life cycle of these viruses can be activated under certain conditions and then new copies are made and synthesis of viral proteins begins.
The virus that causes herpes (herpes virus) is an example of a virus that keeps in an inactive state and is sometimes activated.