GP explains why men may suffer harsher cold and flu symptoms

Jeff Foster, an NHS GP partner and medical director for men's health, addressed the popular notion of "man flu" by citing peer-reviewed research. A study in the British Medical Journal found that men often endure more intense symptoms and slower recovery from respiratory viruses, partly due to lower estrogen, which boosts immunity, and higher testosterone, which can dampen it. Data also show that adult men are admitted to hospital for flu more frequently than women and take longer to recover from sinus infections.

Foster emphasized that personal factors such as age, baseline health, sleep quality, stress and gut microbiome also influence illness severity. He distinguished between the common cold and influenza, describing the latter's rapid onset, high fever and severe muscle aches. For mild winter illnesses, he recommends rest, fluids and over-the-counter pain relievers, and advises seeking medical help for chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, high fever or sudden symptom worsening.