The trend was first noted in China, where one study found a mortality rate of 2.8% in men compared to 1.7% in women. Since then, the pattern has been repeated in France, Germany, Iran, Italy, South Korea and now in the United Kingdom.
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As an initial response to this trend, suggested smoking as a likely explanation. Other studies have shown that men are less likely to wash hands, use soap, seek medical attention and more likely to ignore public health advice.
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However, there is a growing belief among experts that more fundamental biological factors are also at play.
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Previous research has revealed that men have lower innate antiviral immune responses to a variety of infections, including hepatitis C and HIV.
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Hormones may also play a role: Estrogen has been shown to increase the antiviral responses of immune cells. And many genes that regulate the immune system are encoded on the X chromosome, of which men have one and women have two, making it possible that some genes involved in the immune response are more active in women than in men. mens.
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