Question

Which bacterial disease has symptoms that may not show up for years?
Strep throat

Answer 1

Strep throat is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes and usually presents with symptoms quite rapidly, typically within a few days of infection. However, there are other bacterial diseases that can have delayed symptoms, often surfacing years after the initial infection. One notable example is **syphilis**, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It can remain asymptomatic for long periods, particularly in its latent stage after the initial infection.

Another example is **tuberculosis (TB)**, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which can lie dormant in the body for years before symptoms such as a persistent cough, night sweats, and weight loss appear.

If you're interested in more specific information about a particular disease, feel free to ask!