'Is man flu real or not' debate settled by NHS GP - 'there's something in it'

'Is man flu real or not' debate settled by NHS GP - 'there's something in it' NHS GP Jeff Foster weighs in on whether men genuinely suffer worse cold and flu symptoms than women As temperatures plummet during autumn and winter, numerous men frequently retreat to the sofa, adamant they're battling 'man flu' or something their partners have shaken off within a matter of days. And as the UK weather becomes increasingly bitter, it seems cold-related health issues are surging once more. So is man flu genuinely real? Dr Jeff Foster, NHS GP Partner and Medical Director for Men's Health and TRT Specialist at Voy, is now putting the debate to bed, reports the Express. 'Man flu' is colloquial slang rather than an official medical diagnosis. But scientific evidence exists suggesting men may suffer worse symptoms and slower recovery periods from respiratory infections than women owing to their 'weaker' immune system - and it's linked to their lower oestrogen levels. 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. A 2013 study titled: "Systems analysis of sex differences reveals an immunosuppressive role for testosterone in the response to influenza vaccination", shows there are marked differences between the sexes in their immune response to infections and vaccination. It adds: "Females have generally more robust immune responses than males for reasons that are not well-understood." How can you distinguish between a cold and the flu? It's also crucial to recognise 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 disregard, according to the doctor: Chest pain is not normal during a cold or flu. If you experience persistent chest pain or pressure. While a cold can lead to congestion, which will naturally impact breathing, if you're experiencing severe shortness of breath, gasping, or find yourself unable to finish sentences without pausing, you should seek medical advice. Should your temperature be climbing beyond normal levels and failing to respond to medication, this can be cause for concern. Confusion and disorientation can result from dehydration, inflammation and high fever. If you're experiencing persistent confusion or difficulty 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 indicate that your health is deteriorating. Dr Foster adds: "All these above symptoms warrant medical attention, not another day under a duvet." For those 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."