The term “man flu” is often used by women who swear that the men in their lives tend to suffer from an exaggeration of flu-like symptoms when they happen to fall ill.
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But, some recent research is suggesting that perhaps there is more to "man flu" than suburb acting skills. Dr. Alan Taege, is an infectious disease expert at Cleveland Clinic. He did not take part in the study, but said the findings align with what we already know about men and influenza.
“Men actually are at bigger risk for being put in a hospital when they get influenza; they’re more likely to have complications from it, and they are even more likely to die from flu,” he said.
Previous studies have shown that women tend to respond to the flu vaccine better than men.
This most recent study suggests that women may have a better immune response to both the flu and rhinovirus as a result of their estrogen hormones. Taege said while more research needs to be done to determine just how different the immune responses between men and women are, there are some things that all men should do to optimize their health.
“So, what can we do guys? Well, let’s be smart about this - stop smoking; get a vaccine for the influenza - even though we don't respond as well, get all the help you can and slow down and rest when you do get sick,” Teage said.
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While many are concerned that the current season’s flu vaccine has not been as effective as experts hoped, it does still help lessen the effects of flu, and it’s not too late to get vaccinated, Teage advised. “It’s never too late to get a vaccine. Understand though, that if you get it when the influenza is all around you, the vaccine doesn’t work as soon as you get it. On average, you anticipate it will be about two weeks before you really have enough immunity to be protected.”
“When men do get the flu, there’s no need to try and prove how ‘manly’ they are.”
Teage suggests that male patients with the flu stay home from work − for rest and because they’re contagious. He also offers a suggestion for the women witnessing ‘man flu’: cut them some slack.
“Women, we aren’t just wimping out, maybe we actually do feel worse,” he said.
