Why are viruses living?

Viruses are generally considered to be nonliving entities that do not possess most of the characteristics living organisms possess.  The only characteristic of living things they have is the ability to multiply, and they have to invade a living organism, known as a host, to do that.  Once invading the host organisms cells, the virus will incorporate its genetic material, or DNA, into that of the host cells DNA.  The cell carries on with its...

Viruses are generally considered to be nonliving entities that do not possess most of the characteristics living organisms possess.  The only characteristic of living things they have is the ability to multiply, and they have to invade a living organism, known as a host, to do that.  Once invading the host organisms cells, the virus will incorporate its genetic material, or DNA, into that of the host cells DNA.  The cell carries on with its life processes, one of which is replicating, and in the process, makes more viruses.  When the cell becomes too full of viruses, the cell ruptures and dies, releasing a flood of new viruses to attack other cells.  There is no medicine to treat virally caused conditions, such as a cold or the flu.  This is due to the fact that viruses are constantly mutating, or changing.  Often, the only cure is plenty of bed rest, drink lots of fluids, and allow the virus to run its course as the bodys immune system responds to it.  In the example of a cold, recovery time averages anywhere from ten to fourteen days.