A new study from the CDC has found a higher prevalence of COVID-19 among boys. An expert says it may have to do with a 'supercharged immune response' in girls.
For weeks, infectious disease experts have been investigating why the coronavirus is proving particularly devastating to males, with early theories from China suggesting that higher rates of smoking among men may be to blame. But a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is suggesting it may have more to do with biology — specifically, genetics — than lifestyle.
Most of the children reported symptoms of cough or fever, but only a small fraction were hospitalized, bolstering reports that kids often develop a mild case of the virus. Those hospitalized were far more likely to report underlying health conditions than those who weren’t, including asthma, chronic lung disease and cardiovascular disease. Only 0.1 percent of the children infected died.
Females may have a “sex advantage” over men in their immune responsePoland says the concept that females are less susceptible to disease is a “generalizable phenomenon beyond just infectious diseases” . “In fact, women also tolerate starvation and dehydration and survive longer than men do in austere environments,” Poland tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “So there does appear to be a sex advantage on the side of females that males don't have,” meaning a better immune response.
Some hypothesize that this may be linked to evolution of the gendersThere is no evidence that females may be better equipped to fight disease due to evolution, but Poland says the idea has been floated. “We don't have any evidence but people always postulate ... the idea has been in general: ‘Is it this way for the primary reason of propagation of the species?’” he says. “You need women to have children.
Females’ “supercharged immune system” has a downsideWomen responding more efficiently to disease may be beneficial in the midst of a coronavirus pandemic, but Poland says it has a negative side, too — a higher likelihood that the immune system will overreact. “This supercharged immune system has a negative side to it,” says Poland. “And that is women have higher rates of autoimmune diseases — diseases where their own immune system attacks their own body.” .
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