How Biological Differences Between Men And Women Alter Immune Responses

We all know about the body's immunity. Rather, after facing the havoc of Corona epidemic (COVID-19), people have now become more aware about the immune system than before. But do you know that there is a difference in the immunity of men and women? Human physiology says that the immune system of women is stronger than that of men. Men can easily suffer from many types of infections like HIV, Hepatitis B, Plasmodium falciparum (bacteria that causes malaria).

On the contrary, the immunity of women is considered stronger. But it has also been reported to have a side effect. According to NDTV, women are more at risk of suffering from prolonged or chronic disease. That means the chances of chronic disease occurring in women are said to be higher. These diseases are caused by the immune system and are called immune inflammatory diseases. There is a difference in the immune system based on gender. It may differ between men and women on things like its response, number of immune cells, how activated they are.

With age, gender-based changes can also be seen in the immune system. Chromosomes have also been said to be a factor in this. Women have two X chromosomes, while men have one X and one Y chromosome. Immune related genes are most commonly found in the X chromosome. The second factor is the level of hormones. Overall, the immune response is seen to be higher in women, the result of which is that some diseases occur due to it, secondly, the immune system can remain active for a long time after any infection. Even when the body does not need it.

Because of this, 75-80% of diseases in women are due to immune response. These include diseases like sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, thyroid etc. In these, the immune system keeps fighting continuously in the body due to which problems like pain, tissue damage etc. occur in the body.