Is man flu just the common cold?

Are men more affected by flu, or do they just overreact compared to women? The man flu debate is as old as time itself and although recent reports implied that man flu is a myth and women take more time off for illness than men, medical professionals suspect there are still plenty of overdramatic male workers taking unnecessary time off work.

55% of women who took part in the survey believed the men in their lives regularly exaggerated their symptoms for sympathy, and 49% admitted this led to arguments. 63% of men claim they battle with the flu, yet specialists believe they’re dealing with nothing close to real flu as one in 12 men even visit the doctor for a runny nose.

“When suffering from a cold, it is feasible that a person can keep going and power through their symptoms,” said Nick Thayer, Pharmacist at Well Pharmacy. “However, it’s a misconception that people can ‘battle through’ flu, as symptoms are too severe and can last for weeks.”

Around half of men surveyed said they cancelled social plans and called in sick, a number which is far too low for specialists, who believe that this is evidence that plenty are simply suffering with a bad cold. Nick Thayer commented that the real flu symptoms of “fever, fatigue, vomiting and muscle pain are likely to leave you bedridden with little choice in the matter.”

Sympathy for male illness lasts around a day and a half before people become impatient and expect the illness isn’t authentic. The pressure grows as many men admitted to doing nothing around the house during their illness period, putting all responsibilities on their partners. The divide caused in relationships during sickness led to one in 10 couples avoiding each other entirely while dealing with flu so as not to spread illness. Pharmaceutical experts are encouraging people to get flu jabs before it becomes a problem

“This research highlights the fact that people usually only get a flu jab if a medical professional has told them to,” continued Nick Thayer. “If the jab hasn’t been recommended for them, then fit and healthy adults often don’t get one.”

“I would recommend that everyone who can get a flu jab, gets a flu jab. The vaccination helps to protect you, your family, and other people in your local community from the virus who may be at high risk of serious illnesses like pneumonia or even death if they contracted it.

“And the flu jab is not just available at your doctors. You can pop into your local pharmacy for the flu vaccination, without an appointment – something that only half of those surveyed were aware of.”

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