This phenomenon suggests that men “play the victim” to receive extra care when sick.
“Man flu”, is a curious term that describes the flu phenomenon that seems to be… more severe in men. The term has been widely accepted to the extent that it has made its way into the Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries.
According to the Oxford dictionary, the definition of “man flu” is “a cold or similar mild illness in a man, who is thought to be exaggerating the severity of the symptoms.” Additionally, some sources ironically refer to “man flu” as the symptoms of “male weakness.”
So, does “man flu” really exist, or is it simply a case of men attempting to “play the victim”?
“Man flu” is also ironically referred to as the symptoms of “male weakness.”
Definition of “Man Flu”
In common usage, this definition describes a personality flaw in men who, when experiencing the flu or a cold, tend to exaggerate their symptoms, play the role of a “patient”, and rely on others until they recover.
However, there is another possibility that suggests upper respiratory illnesses in men may present more severe symptoms than in women. In fact, this phenomenon occurs with other diseases, such as coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, or angina.
Men often face “classic” symptoms like chest pain, while women may experience symptoms like nausea or shortness of breath. According to Dr. Robert H. Shmerling from Harvard University, there is a possibility that the phenomenon of “man flu” actually exists, based on the impact of illness on men.
Everyone wants to be cared for when sick, regardless of gender.
Based on a study titled “The Scientific Factors Behind ‘Man Flu’”, Dr. Shmerling summarized the following key points regarding the effects of the flu on men:
1. Flu vaccinations often cause more local (skin) and systemic reactions in men, while the antibody response is milder in women. Testosterone levels may play a role, as men with higher testosterone levels tend to have lower antibody responses.
A better antibody response may reduce the severity of the flu; thus, men who have been vaccinated may experience more severe symptoms than women because they do not respond well to the vaccine.
2. In vitro studies with nasal cells infected with the flu show that when cells are from women, exposure to the female hormone estradiol (the primary form of estrogen and the most biologically active form) reduces the immune response. This does not occur with cells from men.
3. In a study analyzing data collected over six years, men were hospitalized for the flu more than women. Another study reported that the mortality rate from the flu is higher in men than in women.
4. A survey conducted by a major magazine indicated that men report taking longer to recover from flu-like illnesses compared to women (3 days versus 1.5 days).
These results suggest that “man flu” is not simply a ploy for sympathy. While the evidence does not completely exonerate men, it indicates that flu symptoms may indeed be more severe in men.
Why Does “Man Flu” Exist?
Some studies suggest that ancient men may have evolved in such a way to rest more when sick, in order to conserve energy and avoid predators. In the modern context, prolonged sick leave is no longer practical.
From a psychological perspective, everyone desires to be cared for when ill, regardless of gender.
Conclusion from Dr. Robert H. Shmerling
Portrait of Dr. Robert H. Shmerling.
Overall, illnesses manifest differently in men and women. Medicine shows that differences exist in coronary artery disease, osteoporosis, lupus erythematosus, or depression, and this may also apply to the flu.
Dr. Shmerling agrees with the aforementioned scientific report, suggesting that the concept of man flu may indeed be unfair to men. We need to further investigate how the flu affects individuals and the differences in its impact on men and women.
However, regardless of the severity of flu symptoms, the principle of <em“prevention is better than cure” remains true. Vaccination, maintaining cleanliness, and avoiding contact with others when sick are practices everyone should follow, regardless of gender.
