Women are at greater risk of autoimmune disease

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Women are at greater risk of autoimmune disease

By Penn Highlands Healthcare Approximately 50 million Americans have an autoimmune disease, and four out of five of those are women. An autoimmune disease is a condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. A healthy immune system defends the body against disease and infection, but if the immune system does not function properly, it can attack healthy cells, tissues and organs. Why are women at greater risk? Scientists are …