Viruses are mostly known for their aggressive and infectious nature. It’s true, most viruses have a pathogenic relationship with their hosts—meaning they cause diseases ranging from a mild cold to serious conditions such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). They work by invading the host cell, taking over its cellular machinery and releasing new viral particles that go on to infect more cells and cause illness. But they’re not all bad. Some viruses can actually kill bacteria, while others can fight against more dangerous viruses. So like protective bacteria (probiotics), we have several protective viruses in our body. Protective ‘Phages’ Bacteriophages (or “phages”) are viruses that infect and destroy specific bacteria. They’re found in the mucous membrane lining in the digestive, respiratory, and reproductive tracts. Mucus is a thick, jelly-like material that provides a physical barrier against invading bacteria and protects the underlying cells from being infected. Recent research suggests the phages present …