(Note from Erin: If you are a man or live with one, I’d love to know what you think about these findings. Read on!)
If you’re married to a man or have ever lived with one, you know how they can get when they’re sick; even if you’ve JUST had the same illness they act as if no one in the history of the world has ever been as sick as they are- in that moment. They complain, they can’t move…it’s so rough for them. However, according to Canadian scientist Kyle Sue from Memorial University of Newfoundland, they may not be able to help it!
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For his research, published in the BMJ, Sue found that men aren’t actually overreacting, but rather “have weaker immune responses to viral respiratory viruses.”1 He calls it “man flu.”
In his paper, Sue pointed to men’s higher risk of hospitalization due to the flu and their “higher rates of influenza-related deaths compared with women of the same age”1 – a fact that rang true “regardless of underlying heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory system disease, and renal disease.”1
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He also pointed out that medical professionals often under-rate men’s symptoms.
Sue also looked at other research that suggested perhaps men’s increased sickness was a survival instinct since it promoted “energy conservation” that could reduce “the risk of encountering predators.”1
Lastly, he added:
“Classic modes of energy conservation may include lying on the couch, not getting out of bed, or receiving assistance with basic activities of daily living, which could all be effective for avoiding predators.
Perhaps now is the time for male friendly spaces, equipped with enormous televisions and reclining chairs, to be set up where men can recover from the debilitating effects of man flu in safety and comfort.”1
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Right. We will get right on that! 🙂
