Christmas colds: Man Flu worse than female cold

With Christmas just around the corner, it’s that time of again when Man Flu attacks

13:45 17 November 2012

Man Flu. Whether it’s made-up or a real illness, it supposedly strikes men each year leaving them with a runny nose, an aching head, and in a state of what some may call utter uselessness.

 

Arguably, it is one of man’s worse fears. Not sharks or spiders, but Man Flu. It appears to be instant and attacks without giving any warning, making even the healthiest man apparently feel incompetent at simple day-to-day tasks.

And, as website socked.co.uk state, Man Flu attacks the human immune system 10,000 times harder than a common cold does. And it can last for up to 50per cent longer than the average hangover!

Women are thought to be exempt from contracting Man Flu (hence its name), and it is often regarded as an illness which does not require a diagnosis from a doctor. Instead, the sufferer seems quite capable of deciding whether they have Man Flu or not.

Mark Hall, from socked.co.uk, the black sock subscription service for discerning gentlemen, said: “If Man Flu is kind enough not to kill the infected party it will leave him weak, sick, aching all over with a tell-tale craving for sandwiches, a cold beer, TV and plenty of rest.”

According to socked.co.uk, their research states that beer contains theobromine which supposedly suppresses the nerve activity that causes coughing.

Man Flu Symptoms

• Sneezing

• Inability to see clearly (except TV’s)

• Inability to exert too much energy at any task (including visiting the in-laws)