“The honest answer about man flu? There’s something in it.” (Image: Getty)
As the temperature drops in autumn and winter, many men often take to the sofa, convinced they’re suffering from ‘man flu’ or something that their partners have recovered from in a few days. And as the weather in the UK turns colder, it appears that cold-related illnesses are on the rise again.
So is man flu actually real? Dr Jeff Foster, NHS GP Partner and Medical Director for Men’s Health and TRT Specialist at Voy, is now settling the debate.
‘Man flu’ is a colloquial slang term rather than an official medical diagnosis. However, there is scientific evidence suggesting men may experience worse symptoms and slower recovery times from respiratory infections than women due to their ‘weaker’ immune system – and it is related to their lower levels of oestrogen.
Dr Jeff Foster said: “The honest answer about man flu? There’s something in it.” He explains: “Research published in the British Medical Journal has suggested that men may experience more severe symptoms from respiratory viruses than women, partly due to differences in immune response.
“Women tend to have a faster, more aggressive initial immune reaction to viral infections, which may help clear the virus more quickly. Men’s immune systems appear to respond differently, which can mean symptoms linger longer and feel more intense. Whether that fully explains the man flu mythology is debatable, but it does suggest the biological basis isn’t entirely made up.”
He continued: “That said, individual variation matters just as much as sex. Your age, baseline health, sleep quality, stress levels, and even your gut microbiome all influence how your immune system responds to a virus. Two people can be exposed to the same bug and have completely different experiences. That’s not weakness – it’s biology.”
Research published in The BMJ highlights that oestrogen acts as a natural immune booster, helping female cells resist viral replication, whereas testosterone can have an immunosuppressive effect that lowers a man’s initial antibody response. This biological disadvantage is further supported by data showing that adult men experience higher rates of flu-related hospital admissions and take longer to recover from sinus infections.
Lack of oestrogen can makes men’s immune systems weaker (stock image) (Image: Getty)
How to tell the difference between a cold and the flu
It’s also important to know when your illness is the common cold, flu, or something more serious. Dr Foster said: “The common cold and influenza are caused by entirely different viruses, and the distinction matters. A cold tends to build gradually: a sore throat first, then congestion, a runny nose, mild fatigue.
“Flu is different. It hits fast, often within hours, with high fever, significant muscle aches, profound tiredness, and a dry cough. If you feel fine at breakfast and floored by lunchtime, that’s more likely to be flu.”
Symptoms you should never ignore, according to the doctor:
Chest pain is not normal during a cold or flu. If you have persistent chest pain or pressure
Although a cold can cause congestion, which will naturally affect breathing, if you have severe shortness of breath, gasping, or an inability to finish sentences without pausing, you should contact a medical professional
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If your temperature is spiking past normal levels and it isn’t responding to medication, this can be a cause for concern
Confusion and disorientation can be caused by dehydration, inflammation and high fever. If you have consistent confusion or trouble waking up, this is a warning sign that you need medical attention
It’s not normal for symptoms to improve, then worsen again, which can be a sign that your health is declining. Dr Foster adds: “All these above symptoms warrant medical attention, not another day under a duvet.”
For anyone suffering from winter illness symptoms, Jeff recommends “for most people, the best approach is rest, fluids, and paracetamol or ibuprofen to manage fever and discomfort”. He added: “Stay home if you can.
“Autumn and winter viruses spread quickly, and the most effective thing you can do for the people around you is to not share what you’ve got. Man flu may be embellished, but the virus underneath it is very much real.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
