Man flu is real
24 June 2011
Perhaps women should be more sympathetic when men take to their beds with 'man flu' while they soldier on regardless.
A study from the University of Queensland suggests men really may find it harder to throw off a cold than women (Respiratory Research 2010; 11: 184).
Researchers assessed the immune response to rhinoviruses - the bugs that cause the common cold - of 63 healthy volunteers.
They found that men had a much weaker immune response to rhinoviruses than women, as measured by the levels of cytokines - immune chemicals - produced by their white blood cells.
However, the difference was observed only when comparing men with women aged 50 or less, leading the authors to conclude the immune response to rhinovirus is probably regulated by sex hormones.
Study author Professor John Upham, from the department of respiratory medicine at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, said the findings were crucially important for finding new ways of combating rhinoviruses.
"This study suggests that premenopausal women have a stronger adaptive immune response to rhinovirus infection than men and older people, though the mechanisms responsible for these differences remain to be determined."
It is important that these sex and age differences are taken into account when studying possible ways of combating the common cold, he said.
The researchers will further study the effects of hormones on the immune system, with long-term plans to develop a vaccine.
Last Reviewed: 24 June 2011
- 1. Carroll ML, Yerkovich ST, Pritchard AL, et al. Adaptive immunity to rhinoviruses: sex and age matter. Respir Res 2010; 11: 184. http://respiratory-research.com/content/11/1/184 (accessed Jun 2011).
