They ask to study the influence of sex on COVID-19

The effects of SARS-CoV-2 are different in men and women, for example in case of infection, men have a risk of death 1.7 times higher than women. But women are not considered in the research of treatments and vaccines, according to two researchers at the Yale University in the journal Science. According to them, it is impossible to understand how sex influences the immune response to better know and combat covid-19 and other infectious diseases.

 

It is explained that men have a lower immune response and are more vulnerable than women. However, these responses are more severe and sometimes this response can become excessive, with the resulting increased risk of immunopathology.

 

Behind this distinction are chromosomal sex and hormones. The presence of two X chromosomes allows activating more immune genes and estrogens exert a protective effect on infections.

 

COVID-19 is no exception, but in general, the data is not being analyzed separately or these differences are being considered in the studies. It is not known, for example, whether a drug is more appropriate for one sex or another, or whether doses should be adjusted.

 

In the case of vaccinations, when vaccinations began, they did not know if they were safe for pregnant women and for those who were breastfeeding, since they had not taken into account before. The same thing happens to transsexuals.

 

Finally, the researchers have warned that it should also take into account the social and behavioral differences in the field of women and men, who also influence the risk of infection and the evolution of the disease.