Who is less likely to get COVID-19 infection? The Six Factors [EXPLAINED]

Who is less likely to be infected with the coronavirus? Of course, the one who wears a mask and maintains the sanitary regime. However, there are other factors that protect against SARS-CoV-2. Some are independent of us. We’ve outlined six of them below. Are you in the lower risk group? Check!

1. Genetic factors may play a role in susceptibility to COVID-19 infection
2. A few months ago, scientists discovered that people with blood type 0 have the lowest risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection
3. University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) researchers: female sex hormones protect against severe COVID-19
4. You can find more up-to-date information on the TvoiLokony home page

The coronavirus still hides its secrets from us. However, from the research carried out so far, we can draw many conclusions both about him and the pandemic itself. For example, we already know when the risk of infection is highest, who is more protected and why. Let’s look at the most important factors.

Lower risk of COVID-19. No genes from Neanderdaler

Genetic factors may play a role in susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. In early October, scientists from the Okinawa University of Technology (Japan) announced their findings on this issue in the Nature weekly.

Japanese scientists studied more than three thousand people, including patients hospitalized for severe COVID-19 symptoms as well as patients who had less severe disease. Based on the collected data, it has been established that greater susceptibility to the severe form of COVID-19 is associated with gene variants that we inherited from our extinct relatives, the Neanderthals. Those who inherit Neanderthal gene variants may be up to three times more likely to develop severe symptoms requiring a respirator.

‘It is striking that the genetic heritage inherited from the Neanderthals has such tragic consequences in the current pandemic,’ commented Prof. Svante Paabo.

Neanderthal gene variants are not evenly distributed in the world population. For example, in South Asia, about 50 percent of these variants are carriers. population, while in East Asia they are practically non-existent.

Lower risk of COVID-19. Blood group 0 and Rh factor –

Blood type can also determine the risk of developing COVID-19, which of course is also related to genes.

A few months ago, scientists found that people with blood type 0 had the lowest risk of getting SARS-CoV-2 (blood group A was associated with a higher risk of developing the disease). Hematologist Dr. Roy Silverstein explained then that the genes controlling the blood group also affect the structures on the surface of cells, which in turn may affect the ability of the virus to infect them. He also emphasized that blood type was associated with a risk of developing blood clots – observations show that severe symptoms of COVID-19 also include the formation of life-threatening blood clots.

1. Big new research on blood groups. It is known who is least likely to be infected and who is severely affected by it

The discovery of the link between susceptibility to COVID-19 and the blood group has been recently confirmed by a study by Canadian scientists. Based on analyzes carried out among 225 Canadians, it has been established that people with the blood type O Rh (-) may be less exposed to the coronavirus. The risk of infection was 556 percent. lower, and compared to other blood groups, the probability of a severe course of COVID-12 or death, decreased by 19%.

It also turned out that the Rh factor is of great importance in the course of the disease – people with any other blood group with a negative Rh factor are protected to some extent. ‘This is because in such cases the body can trigger antibodies that recognize some aspect of the new virus,’ said research co-author Dr Joel Ray of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.

Lower risk of COVID-19 in women, especially those who are pregnant

Already at the beginning of the pandemic, it was noted that men die more often from COVID-19, and that they are more exposed to the severe course of the disease than women. It has been established that the immune response of women to infection is different from that of men. The women produced a stronger immune response involving T lymphocytes – a type of white blood cell that is responsible for recognizing and eliminating viruses.

But why is women’s immune system stronger? Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) suspect that women protect female sex hormones from the serious disease of COVID-19, including estrogens (estradiol, estrone, estriol) and progesterone.

1. Why are women more gentle with COVID-19? Scientists thought about one thing

These compounds have an anti-inflammatory effect, stimulate the production of antibodies and support the repair of epithelial cells in the respiratory tract. Moreover, they inhibit the ACE2 receptor, which is, in a way, the “key” that opens the door to our cells for the coronavirus.

It was also observed that pregnant women were the most protected against severe COVID-19 disease. Several pregnant women infected with COVID-19 had mild symptoms of infection until delivery, after which their condition deteriorated rapidly. This process has been linked to the decline in estriadol, progesterone and allopregnanolone levels that occurs after childbirth.

Lower your risk of COVID-19 when you are not breathing smog

Where there is smog, more people will catch COVID-19 – this regularity was noticed already in the spring, at the beginning of the pandemic. Why is this happening? – Compounds found in smog damage the epithelium of the respiratory tract (this is the first barrier between the outside world – air, and the inner world – organs), opening the door to various pathogens, including coronavirus – explained in an interview with Medonet pulmonologist Dr. Tadeusz Zielonka.

1. «Since March, we have lived in one plague. Now we’re facing three ». A pulmonologist explains how smog affects the risk of COVID-19

What’s more, smog not only opens the door to our body for the coronavirus, but is also a means of transport for it – the pathogen is carried by dust, which means that it stays in the air longer. Additionally, dirty air leads to exacerbations of chronic diseases, which also affects the risk of coronavirus infection.

So it is clearly visible that the quality of the air we breathe has a huge impact on whether we fall ill with COVID-19.

Less COVID-19 risk – will glasses help?

We left this factor for the end because the studies that suggest it were conducted on a small group of patients. Nevertheless, the conclusions are quite interesting and worth considering (of course, it is not about the sight defect, but wearing glasses). They were raised in September by Chinese scientists (the study they conducted was posted on the JAMA Ophthamology website).

Chinese scholars suspect that wearing glasses may be a “protective factor” as glasses may stop wearers from touching their eyes frequently and spreading the virus from their hands to their eyes. Let us remind you that the eyes are considered an important channel through which the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus can enter the body.

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