5 Factors That Can Put Women At Higher Risk For Severe Illness From COVID-19

COVID-19 in women Women are believed to be less susceptible to viral infections compared to men, apparently due to a different innate immunity, steroid hormones and presence of two X chromosomes. Further, experts say that women generally produce higher levels of antibodies which remain in the circulation longer, as well as the levels of activation of the immune cells are higher in women than in men. Studies have also highlighted many differences between men and women in terms of CoV-19 infection. It has been found that men are at a higher risk of contracting Covid-19, getting severely ill and die due to the infection as compared to women. Low testosterone levels in men are thought to be a factor responsible for increased disease severity among males. Among women, there are certain risk factors that can make some more likely to test positive for COVID-19 and die from the disease. These include:Obesity Obesity has been identified as a risk factor for severe COVID-19 and death. Being obese may triple the risk of hospitalization due to a COVID-19 infection, says the US CDC. However, the association between obesity and poor outcomes in COVID-19 are worse in men than women.Chronic illnesses Women with chronic health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer, and other conditions are at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness and death, compared to healthy women.To sum up Managing blood pressure during pregnancy is crucial. Following a healthy lifestyle, monitoring blood pressure, and seeking medical advice can help manage blood pressure. Remember to take care of your baby by controlling your blood pressure effectively.Vitamin D insufficiency Some studies have reported inverse associations between vitamin D and COVID-19 infection. A recent study led by Boston University's Slone Epidemiology Center also suggested that low levels of vitamin D appears to be related to increased incidence of COVID-19 infection in black women, especially among women with obesity. The study estimated that Black American women with deficient levels of vitamin D had a 69 percent greater risk of COVID-19 infection than women with sufficient vitamin D levels.Age Compared to younger women, older adults are more likely to get serious ill after COVID-19 infection and die. This is because as we grow older, our immune systems grow weaker, which makes it more challenging for older adults to fight off infectious diseases. In addition, chronic diseases are also more common with age.