Sex Differences in Infectious Diseases

by | Jul 12, 2021 | Coronavirus, COVID-19, Data, FDA, Human Factors, Medicine, Real World Evidence, Women's Health

Women and men are different in many aspects when it comes to disease-causing pathogens. An interesting fact is that these differences are also observed in the risk of contracting and responding to diseases, specifically infectious diseases. A well-known and well-studied example is COVID-19. COVID-19 affects both sexes equally, but it has been observed that men are at a higher risk of dying from the infectious disease than women. This is also true for the outbreaks caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, and the Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS.

There are several factors as to why women and men respond differently to infectious diseases. Some of the more common reasons include hormonal factors, social and behavioral factors, exposure to different pathogens, and immune responses against different pathogens. Differences in exposure to different pathogens largely depend on cultural, socioeconomic, immunological, hormonal, and behavioral factors.

Differences in occupational exposures are also a reason for the disparity among genders. Men are more likely to adopt occupations, like mining and farming, which could put them at an increased risk for respiratory disease or a mosquito-borne disease, like malaria. Women also dominate the nursing field in almost all countries around the world, which increases their chances of contracting infectious diseases while caring for their patients.

Sex differences are also a significant challenge in clinical studies. As per regulatory guidelines, women that are of reproductive age are excluded from phase I clinical trials. Many therapies are then approved based on data that is solely gained from clinical studies conducted with all male participants.

Disease severity, susceptibility, and treatment responses are significantly affected by sex-based mechanisms. Considering both sexes in infectious disease research is essential, a better understanding of these relationships and the other mechanisms involved can help improve general health and prevent infectious diseases.

If you need help with any clinical research, regulatory, or compliance aspect of your product, EMMA International’s team of experts has you covered. Contact us at 248-987-4497, or email info@emmainternational.com today!

1News-Medical. (2021, June 22). Sex Differences in Infectious Diseases. News-Medical.net. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Sex-Differences-in-Infectious-Diseases.aspx

Abby McVay

Abby McVay

Research Analyst- Ms. McVay is EMMA International’s Research Analyst. She has experience in technical writing and clinical trials in many life science industries. She has experience with many different elements of quality and regulatory compliance. Ms. McVay holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Manchester University as well as a Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Angelo State University.

More Resources

Establishing a Culture of Compliance

Establishing a Culture of Compliance

While having robust compliance policies and procedures in place is essential for meeting regulatory requirements, it's equally important to establish a culture of compliance within your organization.  A culture of compliance means that every employee understands the importance of compliance and is committed to upholding it in all their work. Here are some tips for establishing a culture of compliance...
Change Management And Control

Change Management And Control

One of the biggest and most important aspects of quality management is a system to monitor changes and how they impact the product. Change management is an approach for changing processes or products in a way which adheres to regulatory standards by ensuring stability and consistency throughout processes. It applies across all changes within a process and throughout an entire products life cycle.
Aseptic Technique and Gowning

Aseptic Technique and Gowning

One of the most common techniques to prevent contamination of products and reduce quality impacts in the pharmaceutical industry is called aseptic gowning. Humans are the biggest sources of microbial contamination in cleanroom environments and therefore proper gowning procedures are essential to ensuring product quality. Proper training, education, hygiene, qualification, and authorization must be put in place and be required for entry to all clean room environments...

Ready to learn more about working with us?

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This