Man flu is REAL with blokes suffering ‘worse cold symptoms’ than women, research shows
A group of Canadian experts reviewed several studies and found that certain kinds of illnesses, like chest colds, present more severely in men than in women
MAN flu is real medics claim, with blokes suffering worse symptoms than women.
A study found fellas have weaker immune systems when it comes to dealing with chest, cold and flu bugs.
It means they are at greater risk of ending up in hospital and dying following an infection.
Canadian experts reviewed several international studies into colds and flus.
Lead researcher Dr Kyle Sue, from the Memorial University of Newfoundland, said men are not making it up when they complain more.
He said evidence suggests they really are more likely to be left bedbound by their illness.
One evolutionary theory is that worse symptoms force blokes to rest up and save their energy for other tasks.
In caveman times this would have kept them safe from predators.
NHS chiefs fear a deadly strain of super-flu could push already stretched hospitals to a breaking point this winter.
The alert comes as Australia had its worst outbreak on record earlier this year.
Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, head of the Royal College of GPs, said the flu is not sexist.
She said: "We’re sorry to be the bearer of disappointing news for half the population – but contrary to popular belief, and this article, the vast majority of robust scientific evidence suggests that flu is not sexist and there is no such thing as ‘man flu’.
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“While there are people who believe that ‘man flu’ is an actual disease, and some men (and women) genuinely believe it is the reason they are unwell, there is little science to back this up.
“However there has been some research to suggest Respiratory Tract Infections - as they are known – can present more severely in men than women and the best advice for anyone affected is to rest at home, drink plenty of fluids and to take over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol."