“Male flu” really exists

According to popular opinion, men exaggerate the symptoms of the common cold and a temperature of 37.5 deg. Celsius for them to be inclined to write a will. But it turns out that these complaints have some basis in fact. “British Medical Journal” reports that men may actually endure colds and flu worse than women.

For a man, a cold, runny nose or flu is a very serious ailment, but in the eyes of women, it’s an overreaction to trivial illnesses often taken as cynical abuse or simulation. In defense of all men stood Dr. Kyle Sue of Memorial University of Newfounland in Canada, proving that the so-called. „male flu” there are really.

In a paper published in the Christmas issue of “British Medical Journal” Sue presents a range of evidence in suggesting that men may actually experience worse symptoms than women when it comes to viral respiratory illnesses. And it’s all in the immune system of men, which ry works slightly differently than in women.

– Studies show that men have a weaker immune response when it comes to common viral infections dr g respiratory and influenza – Sue said.

Sue, based on existing research, concluded that testosterone is to blame for everything, which ry can suppress the immune response. This is demonstrated by studies on the effectiveness of flu vaccines. Men with high levels of testosterone had weaker responses to vaccines, while women had a much stronger immune response.

Sue also points out that it is among the d men have more cases of in hospitalizations for colds, flu or similar infections. According to data collected in the US in 1997 – 2007 and in Hong Kong between 2004 and 2010, men are also more likely to develop complications from these illnesses, and take longer to heal. More cases have also been reported in fatalities in men than in women.

Other studies cited in “British Medical Journal” indicate a key role for hormone in sexual. Com rki taken from premenopausal women, which re then infected with rhinoviruses (cold viruses), showed a very strong immune response. Com rk of men and postmenopausal women no longer showed such a strong response, indicating the key role of female hormones in the sexes in stimulating this process. It should be noted that in postmenopausal women, the levels of these hormones drastically decreases.

But not everyone agrees with the Canadian’s thinking and says the evidence is insufficient. Many ¿ne factor can affect how potent the attack of these diseases b. For this study, they do not take into account the differences in the lifestyles of men and women. This primarily involves smoking, which happens more often in men’s. Men are also far less likely to make clinic visits. However, the author of the paper himself indicates that there is a need for further research on the issue, which re would take into account a number of The differences between men and women.

Source background: the Guardian, British Medical Journal , fot. CC BY-SA 4.0/ Wikimedia Commons/ DaveDeploige