Humans have “good bacteria”, but what about “good viruses”?

We hear about humans having and needing “good bacteria”. Are there similarly “good viruses” in our bodies?

Robert Barrie
London, UK

Focusing specifically on the gut, there is indeed an equivalent of the bacteria that live there: the “gut virome”. While not as widely appreciated as their bacterial accomplices, these viruses play a major role in balancing our gut microbiome, which is important in the prevention of diseases and bowel conditions. Indeed, there are more than 140,000 of these heroic microscopic agents that have taken up residence in our gut, helping us every day to maintain a healthy body. I…