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KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross. 

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor 


PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As a growing number of people are hospitalized and treated for COVID-19, we are learning a great deal about how the disease attacks. 

One of the things that we are learning is that men are about 2.5 times more likely to die from the virus. The question is why? 

One of the most logical theories being presented is the fact that survival might be linked to the X chromosome. Women have two X chromosomes whereas men have just one X chromosome.

We know that the X chromosome has genes linked to immunity and recovery from attacks to our immune systems, and women have this extra protection, protection which has been seen many times over the years, particularly in another potential killer: influenza