Coronavius, especially endangered, and why

Men, women and children are infected with the new common Corona virus. But the consequences are very different. Essential factors are age, gender, and possible previous diseases.

The new Corona virus can spread rapidly in the weeks, and the coming months and two-thirds of the population will be infected. This is unlikely to change when the weather gets warmer again and end the classic cold or flu season, says Christian Drosten, the leading virologist at Berlin Hospital Charité.

However, the infection will appear in a mild form in most infected persons. A majority of the population would have formed antibodies against in autumn SARS-CoV-2, when the next cooling wave comes.

Why should older people especially be protected?

Older people are particularly at risk, as mortality rates increase exponentially from about 65 years of age. In China, for example, the mortality rate of people infected by the age of 40 was 0.2%, but between 70 and 79, the mortality rate has already reached 8%, and by 80, the rate is 14.8%.

Hence, in the coming weeks and months, older ones in particular must be protected, especially if they suffer from a preliminary illness. This danger group should actually avoid crowds, concerts, or clubs.

Grandma and Grandpa should not be used to care for grandchildren in quarantine or similar extreme situations. Rather, new family members should bring home purchases for the elderly so that they can avoid unnecessary visits to the supermarket.

What previous diseases increase the risk of infection with Corona?

Almost all the feeling was sick before they infected Corona. According to an O analysis OCS cases in China, elderly people with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic respiratory diseases and cancer are particularly endangered.

Why are men more often affected than women?

According to WHO data, men die considerably more often than women from SARS-CoV-2. The death rate in China in mid-February was 2.8% for men and 1.7% for women. A common flu even strikes men more strongly than women.

The female immune system is more resistant than that of men. This is mainly because of the estrogen of female sex hormones, which stimulates the immune system and thus fights pathogens faster and more aggressively. The testosterone of the male sex hormone, on the other hand, controls the immune system.

There are also “genetic reasons”, according to virologist Thomas Pietschmann in an interview for DW. The reason is that some “genes related to immunity, for example, genes responsible for identifying pathogens, are encrypted in the X chromosome. Since women have two X chromosomes and men have only one, women have an advantage here. ”

Besides genetic moods, however, a crucial factor is also the way of life. Men often live less healthy lives than women do. In China, for example, about 52% of all men smoke, but not 3% of all women. A lung weakened by smoking is more sensitive to respiratory infections.

Why are children less vulnerable?

With the new Corona virus, children are not surprisingly among the weaker members of society in accordance with this, there are no children among the deaths so far. Of course, children are also infected with the virus, but they do not get sick, or they show only mild symptoms. The reason for this has not yet been fully understood. Doctors assume that the currently born “system” is effective in young children.

In defense of the first pathogens, the mother gives specific immunity to the fetus and later to the newborn through breast milk. This inborn immune protection includes, for example, the killer cells ] white blood cells that attack all pathogens that enter the body through mucosa or skin.

This passive <x0munization usually lasts until children create their own defence system. By the age of 10, children have developed their specific immune protection. But even after that, their defense system remains able to learn throughout their lifetime when new pathogens appear.