There is really not a single reason why should intelligent virus lower hosts lifespan. Even ordinary stupid viruses naturally evolve into less dangerous forms. The ideal flu-like virus is one which makes you feel completely healthy and only sneezing when meeting uninfected people, but so strongly and unexpectedly you don’t even manage to put hand in front of your nose. And the most successful bacteria ever? The ones living in human guts.
There is really not a single reason why should intelligent virus lower hosts lifespan. Even ordinary stupid viruses naturally evolve into less dangerous forms. The ideal flu-like virus is one which makes you feel completely healthy and only sneezing when meeting uninfected people, but so strongly and unexpectedly you don’t even manage to put hand in front of your nose. And the most successful bacteria ever? The ones living in human guts.
Sorry, in the time of COVID a virus doesn’t get much sympathy from me…and the human gut bacteria aren’t really infecting us, either…