What is the purpose of a virus

[rustybath]

If the purpose of all living things is to procreate or divide so as to ensure the continued existance of the speceis, why is it the aim of some viruses to enter a host and try to increase in numbers undetected, and if successfull will result, ultimately, in the demise of the host thus commiting suicide?

[funkylad20]

I wouldn't say it is 'committing suicide', merely passing on genetic information to reproduce, thus running its natural life cycle, which ultimately is the aim of every living organism on this planet.