Recent studies have found that age and pre-existing conditions, as previously thought, aren’t the only factors determining vulnerability to the novel coronavirus. Gender, genetics and behaviour are playing a considerable role, prompting researchers to pay attention to these characteristics in patients as they race to develop a cure.
COVID-19 is a new disease and there is limited information regarding risk factors for severe disease. Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Based on what we know now, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 are:
People 65 years and older
People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
People of all ages with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, including:
People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
People who have serious heart conditions
People who are immunocompromised
Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications
People with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)
People with diabetes
People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
People with liver disease.
COULD SEX HORMONES HOLD THE KEY TO A CURE?
Data from around the world shows that women are less likely than men to experience severe cases of Covid-19 and are more likely to recover. Some experts believe hormones produced in greater quantities by women — estrogen and progesterone — could be an explanation.
While estrogen affects the ACE2 protein, which is used by the coronavirus to invade cells, progesterone is known to have anti-inflammatory properties, which prevents an overreaction of the immune system. This is exemplified particularly by pregnant women who have tested positive for the virus — though they are immunocompromised, they experience relatively milder bouts of infection possibly due to high levels of estrogen and progesterone.
As a result, scientists in the US are conducting clinical trials to see if these hormones can help cure patients. The hormones are safe to use for a short duration but can cause side effects that may be unfamiliar to men, like tenderness in the breast and hot flashes.
However, experts say there’s not enough evidence to support hormone therapy just yet. Data shows that elderly women, who have lower levels of hormones, are still more likely than elderly men to recover. Women’s lower susceptibility could also be explained by other biological and behavioural factors.
HOW MUCH OF A RISK FACTOR IS SMOKING?
Certain behaviours known to amplify health risks are more commonly observed in men. Further, as a result, men report a higher burden of some diseases than women smoking. The novel coronavirus triggers respiratory complications and WHO says that “smokers may also already have lung disease or reduced lung capacity, which would greatly increase risk of serious illness." In China, the Covid-19 mortality rate for men was almost twice as high as that for women, according to a study. Estimates suggest 52% of Chinese men smoke against just 3% of the women. Also, The Guardian reports that in South Korea, where the ratio of male to female Covid-19 deaths is close to 2:1, the male smoking rate is the highest among all OECD countries, while the female smoking rate is the lowest.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICE FOR THE PUBLIC BY WHO (world helth organization)
If you are not in an area where COVID-19 is spreading or have not travelled from an area where COVID-19 is spreading or have not been in contact with an infected patient, your risk of infection is low. It is understandable that you may feel anxious about the outbreak. Get the facts from reliable sources to help you accurately determine your risks so that you can take reasonable precautions. Seek guidance from WHO, your healthcare provider, your national public health authority or your employer for accurate information on COVID-19 and whether COVID-19 is circulating where you live. It is important to be informed of the situation and take appropriate measures to protect yourself and your family. If you are in an area where there are cases of COVID-19 you need to take the risk of infection seriously. Follow the advice of WHO and guidance issued by national and local health authorities. For most people, COVID-19 infection will cause mild
iowever, it can make some people very ill and, in some people, it can be fatal. Older people, and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease or diabetes) are at risk for severe disease.
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