Study on Women's Flu Risks
- University of Pittsburgh researchers collaborate with NIH and University of Wisconsin-Madison to study flu risks in women.
- The study aims to help women who are more susceptible to the flu by identifying and addressing the factors contributing to their increased risk.
- Pitt, NIH, and UW-Madison join forces to improve flu prevention strategies for vulnerable women.
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A new study at the University of Pittsburgh aims to explore why women are more susceptible to severe flu infections, particularly those aged 18 to 45. Funded by nearly $4 million from the National Institutes of Health, the research seeks to improve treatment options for women, leveraging insights gained during the COVID-19 pandemic when a significant number of patients were available for study. Dr. Jason Shoemaker from the Pitt Swanson School of Engineering highlighted that women in this age group experienced notably higher hospitalization rates compared to men and other female age groups. This disparity suggests a potential gender bias linked to different flu strains, prompting researchers to delve deeper into the hormonal influences on immune responses. Collaborating with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the team aims to build on previous studies that indicated estrogens might alter lung immune responses. Dr. Shoemaker noted that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) could lower the risk of severe influenza infections, suggesting a biological basis for the observed differences in flu severity between genders. The NIH study's objective is to identify specific molecules and biological pathways that could lead to targeted treatments for women. While human trials are not yet underway, researchers are currently working with animal models and human cells, with the prospect of human testing potentially a decade away. The ultimate goal is to develop effective strategies to mitigate the severity of flu infections in women.