INCUBATION PERIOD

period of time that is between the infection and the outbreak of the disease's symptoms

Incubation period, also called the latent period or latency period, is the time elapsed between exposure to a pathogenic organism, or chemical or radiation, and when symptoms and signs are first apparent. The period may be as short as minutes, to as long as thirty years in the case of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
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Incubation period n. 1. See latent period. 2. See incubative stage. Incubation period The interval from initial exposure to an infectious agent, [more]Incubation period - Community and Resources

Noun
1. the period between infection and the appearance of symptoms of the disease
(hypernym) time period, period of time, period

The time between a pathogen’s entrance into an organism or organ and the first appearance of the disease it causes.