Men are the main COVID-19 transmitters: behavior or biology?

Abstract

Background COVID-19 has affected millions of people worldwide. Clinical manifestations range from severe cases with lethal outcome to mild or asymptomatic cases. Although the proportion of infected individuals does not differ between sexes, men are more susceptible to severe COVID-19, with a higher risk of death than women. Also, men are pointed out as more lax regarding protective measures, mask wearing and vaccination. Thus, we questioned whether sex-bias may be explained by biological pathways and/or behavioral aspects or both. Methods Between July 2020 and July 2021, we performed an epidemiological survey including 1744 unvaccinated adult Brazilian couples, with there was at least one infected symptomatic member, who were living together during the COVID-19 infection without protective measures. Presence or absence of infection was confirmed by RT-PCR and/or serology results. Couples were divided into two groups: (1) both partners were infected (concordant couples) and (2) one partner was infected and the spouse remained asymptomatic despite the close contact with the COVID-19 symptomatic partner (discordant couples). Statistical analysis of the collected data was performed aiming to verify a differential transmission potential between genders in couples keeping contact without protective measures. Results The combination of our collected data showed that the man is the first (or the only) affected member in most cases when compared to women and that this difference may be explained by biological and behavioral factors. Conclusions The present study confirmed the existence of gender differences not only for susceptibility to infection and resistance to COVID-19 but also in its transmission rate.

Anti-RBD IgG antibodies from endemic coronaviruses do not protect against the acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 infection among exposed uninfected individuals

“…The focus was on individuals in intimate relationships, specifically couples (n=47), who either had symptomatic COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive) or had not (SARS-CoV-2 PCR negative spouses). Among the infected participants, the majority exhibited mild symptoms (n=40) and were predominantly male, supporting other studies that suggested men were more prone to symptomatic presentations of COVID-19 than females during the first outbreak (2020) of the disease ( 36 , 37 ). Here, our results indicate that both SARS-CoV-2 infected and uninfected individuals exhibit similar levels of IgG antibodies against the RBD portion of endemic coronaviruses.…”

Migrant Men Living in Brazil during the Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

“…Participants included men from 7 geographical regions: Africa (83), Central America (20), North America (8), South America (110), Asia (34), Europe (50), and Oceania (2). In terms of nationalities, 65 different countries were represented: Germany (6), Argentina (29), Angola (14), Algeria (1), Australia (2), Belgium (1), Benin (5), Bolivia (4), Cape Verde (10), Canada (2), Chile (13), China (16), Colombia (14), the Ivory Coast (1), Costa Rica (5), Cuba (1), Croatia (1), Egypt (1), El Salvador (3), Ecuador (4), Spain (2), USA (3), Finland (1), France (8), Ghana (4), Guangdong (1), Guatemala (1), Guinea-Bissau (17), Greece (1), Haiti (5), Honduras (2), India (2), England (4), Iran (1), Ireland (3), Israel (2), Italy (12), Japan (2), Mali (1), Malaysia (1), Morocco (1), Mexico (3), Mozambique (11), Nigeria (4), Norway (1), Palestine (2), Pakistan (1), Paraguay (4), Peru (19), Portugal (4), the Dominican Republic (3), the Republic of the Congo (1), Russia (1), São Tomé and Príncipe (3), Senegal (7), Serbia (1), Syria (3), Switzerland (3), Taiwan (1), Togo (1), Turkey (1), Ukraine (1), Uruguay (8), Uzbekistan (1), and Venezuela (15).…”

“…This theory aims to achieve cultural care production, considering cultural practices consistent with the values and beliefs of the populations being assisted in their environments [6]. This theoretical framework can contribute to specialized healthcare, with qualified nursing and healthcare professionals addressing patients' unique demands and needs [8,[12][13][14].…”

Covid-19 em Viçosa (MG): análise quantitativa, vacinal, etária e de gênero das pessoas infectadas e os impactos da vacinação

“…A diferença observada neste estudo pode ser explicada pelo fato de homens se preocuparem menos com a saúde [15][16][17] , ou seja, possivelmente, a quantidade de casos positivos de mulheres foi maior porque elas buscam mais o atendimento do sistema de saúde e, por consequência, realizaram mais testes diagnósticos. Além disso, pesquisa realizada com 1.744 casais brasileiros que moravam juntos e um dos cônjuges apresentou teste positivo para a doença constatou que o homem era o primeiro (casais em que ambos foram contaminados) ou o único contaminado (casais em que apenas um membro ficou doente) em aproximadamente 60% dos casos 18 .…”