I’ve recently come down with some kind of virus again, and it got me thinking: If there are bacteria that live in me that can be beneficial, as in aiding my digestion and the like, then are there viruses that can be beneficial as well?

It seems like a complete oxymoron, a “helpful virus”. I mean, they’re not even technically alive.

But it seems viral infection that in some cases can be useful, mostly interfering with other viruses.

The Type C GB Infection, which is non-pathogenic (non-harmful), has been shown to help to hamper the spread of the HIV virus. Precisely why does not seem to be known, at least in the online articles I’ve read, but the main theories seem to be that it either does something to cells to prevent the HIV virus from getting inside cells by altering the “locks” on the exterior of the cell, or the other possibility is the Type C GB hampers the growth of HIV by competition for living space.

Still, there a skeptics out there who say there is no evidence that Type C GB has any effect upon HIV and its effect on the immune system.

Here are some articles on the subject I have found:

http://www.uihealthcare.com/news/currents/vol5issue2/01viruses.html

http://www.thebody.com/pinf/nov04/gbv.html

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/recent/statistics/031105_a.html

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