Gender Differences in Covid-19 Infected Patients: Focus on the Male and Female Susceptibility to Covid-19 and Mortality Rate

Jane Mawia Kilonzo, Shadrack Kiteme Ndili, James Kimanzi Muthui

Susceptibility; Mortality; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2

The outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Disease (COVID-19) has put the whole world on alert. Epidemiological data from the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic and the recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic indicate that there may be sex-dependent differences in disease susceptibility and mortality rates. We therefore aim to compare the susceptibility of COVID-19 and mortality rate on gender basis and give reasons for the disparity. We extracted theepidemiological data from different countries showing differences in susceptibility and mortality rate of disease based on gender then did an empirical study on the reasons for the disparity. Results: Males are more susceptible to COVID-19 compared to females. This is attributed to immunological advantages produced by estrogen hormone, X-chromosome and differences in the ACE2 receptors.

In conclusion, apart from exposure, smoking and social cultural risk factors subjected men on COVID-19, their susceptibility to the disease is caused by immunological and hormonal risk factors. This study will greatly help in developing gender sensitive medications or vaccines for COVID 19 and fine-tune response policies.