When we hear the word "virus", we naturally think of something dangerous. However, some viruses coexist (共 ) with us and we can even make good use of some of them, according to recent studies.
Biologists suggest that 380 trillion viruses are living on and within your body right now. These viruses are collectively known as the human virome (病毒组). Some can cause illness, but many simply coexist with you.
It appears that our viromes begin to accumulate when we are born. Studies have shown different viruses in the babies' bodies shortly after birth, suggesting that they probably come from the babies' mothers. The viromes grow in number as the kids grow up. They are not likely to change during adulthood.
"The virome looks like a partner that can influence our daily lives positively as well as negatively. We could even use the virome to improve our own health," said David Pride, an expert from the US.
One way is to use parts of viruses to cure diseases. Researchers in the US have got a chemical from a virus that kills bacteria (细菌) found in patients.
The other way is to develop viruses' value. Many viruses in our viromes infect bacteria. When the viruses move around the body, some arrive at the surfaces of our bodies such as the nose, throat and stomach. Viruses cannot divide and produce exact copies of themselves there, but they can wait for a bacteria to arrive. This process makes it possible to prevent us from getting certain diseases.