Why do twice as many men as women die from the virus?

[BigmanPigman]

[marybourg]

1. Women have more powerful immune systems.

The other side of the coin is that they tip over into autoimmunity much more than men.

[BigmanPigman]

4. Is autoimmunity what kicks in when you're pregnant?

During the 1918 Spanish Flu people in their 20s and 30s died more than the old. And pregnant women died more than any age or group.

[marybourg]

8. Yes. Cytokine storm.

[BigmanPigman]

12. OK, that is one questioned answered. Thanks!

[MicaelS]

2. Men are more biologically fragile.

Men die earlier than women from almost everything.

[JenniferJuniper]

3. Lack of a two X chromosomes?

Hormones?

Originally it sounded as if smoking was an issue in China, with women there far less likely to be smokers, but it seems not to be the case.

[applegrove]

5. Damn. I was hoping it was only true in china with the pattern of males smoking. nt

[dawg day]

6. To judge by my.male family members...

They don't go to the doctor unless there is a broken bone.

[Glorfindel]

7. Biologically, males are expendable.

You only need about a ten-to-one ratio to ensure survival of the species.

[GusBob]

19. People are missing this point

This virus started in animals correct?
The females need to survive in order breed

[Bluethroughu]

9. I think it was a immune response wemon have XX chromosome

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/02/20/health/coronavirus-men-women.amp.html

[RockRaven]

10. I recall hearing that there was a ten-fold difference in smoking by gender amongst

older PRC citizens (w/ men being the higher number). If true, and given that older people were disproportionately mortally affected by the virus in China, and given that the Chinese case data is still dominating the global data set, I wonder if the pre-existing lung pathology of life-time smokers tips the scales in a bad way rather, than it being an inherently sex-linked difference.

[JenniferJuniper]

14. Doctor on MSNBC tonight

said the disparity is seen across all age groups and in all areas. Smoking is likely part of it, but its more complicated.

[lunasun]

17. Right away I thought smoking .Maybe not here but in other countries may be primarily men

plus pipes and cigars . Yes probably more to it than that though

[magicarpet]

11. Men are subject to more stress and don't handle stress very graciously.

Men are life long dare devils to prove their masculinity and consequently get banged up and bounced around much more frequently.

Smoking, drinking, working in dust, bad dietary habits, and other physical/bodily abuses.

Mental issues, men have a tendency to bottle up mental issues and are more pron to become introverted keeping it all inside. Women have a tendency to network and openly discuss any issue that might mentally tax or overwhelm them.

Most of this macho male bull shit is a product of or culture and society. Don't hold your breath for changes to come about to improve male longevity. Our American society is steadfast in its ways.

Maybe three, four, five, or hopefully six generations down the road we will take these issues more seriously and examine them more fully.

[Corgigal]

13. Maybe

How stressed the heart is under a ventilator, it’s lower pressure, but is pushed more frequently per minute. Maybe, a mans heart just can’t keep up with the pace.

[uppityperson]

15. I don't think they know yet. There are theories, but don't know

Unless I'm wrong, in which case I'd like to know.

[customerserviceguy]

16. It could be

that men wait longer than women to seek out medical care. Macho, and all that.

[mvd]

18. Bingo

I think that and the macho thing and smoking could explain a lot. There may still be some biological differences in heart disease, cancer, etc., but it would be less of a factor. Plus, as someone said in another thread, women may have better hygiene habits.

[burrowowl]

20. Plus men usually don't wash their hands as much

[smirkymonkey]

21. Maybe men are more reluctant to seek medical care when they are ill.

They might wait until they are critically ill and by that time it's too late. Women tend to seek care earlier and more often and can benefit from an intervention.

I know how stubborn my dad is and it worries me. I am glad my mom is there with him, because she will force him to seek treatment at the earliest signs of sickness. If it was up to him, he would never bother.

[thesquanderer]

22. Because men are stubborn and won't follow instructions? n/t