Man Flu is not so ill- ogical
As I write this, I’m sniffy, throat- scratchy and ear- blocky. But I’m not whiny. Did I mention I’m also sleepy and brain- foggy? But you won’t hear me complain about it. Not at all.
I’m a tough gal, that is why. A tough gal that is — achooo! — really sneezy and wants her blankey. But I’m not whimpering.
Women have long believed ourselves to be the tougher sex when it comes to getting sick. And now science proves it.
According to new research, the “man flu” apparently is a real thing. Even if it’s not quite as dire as the ManFlu. info satire site ( at least we hope they’re joking) would have us believe:
Man Flu is a crippling and debilitating disorder indiscriminately striking down male members of the human species without warning. The illness is often referred to pejoratively by female members of the species who are in fact immune from the illness …. If Man Flu is kind enough not to kill the infected party it will definitely leave him weak, sick, hurting everywhere and in dire need of TLC.
There’s more eye- rolling to be had. From the site’s Man Flu: Fact Versus Fiction link:
The pain and suffering of Man Flu is similar to that of child birth. TRUE — Though at least with child birth it’s all done and dusted in a few hours, but Man Flu can last for weeks.”
Researchers from the University of Ottawa NeuroImmunology, Stress and Endocrinology Laboratory recently published research (“Age and sex differences in immune response following LPS treatment in mice”) in Brain, Behavior and Immunity — an online journal I would totally read in its entirety if my watery eyes could focus on the screen.
Psychology professor and NISE director Nafissa Ismail concluded, as quoted in a university news release, “My data supports the idea that the man flu isn’t just a myth.”
How NISE, I thought. Ismail has to be a sickly old man. Then I clicked on Ismail’s faculty page. Nope, Ismail is a vibrant, healthy woman. So maybe there is some truth to this after all.
For the study, adult and pubescent male and female mice were injected with LPS ( lipopolysaccharide), a bacteria cell surface component that causes flu- like symptoms. The infected adult male mice suffered the most.
Which raises the question: How do you tell if a mouse is ailing ( unless he’s covered in red dots, like that episode of Tom and Jerry when the cartoon cat and rodent were quarantined with the measles)?
“We don’t see the mice curl up with a blanket, but they huddle together, lose their appetite, become lethargic, and their eye-
lids become droopy,” Ismail was quoted as saying. They had more severe temperature changes and inflammation.
The study says: “LPS treatment induced sickness behavior in all mice, but adult mice displayed more sickness than pubertal mice and adult males remained sick for a longer period of time than adult females.”
And: “LPS induces a greater and more prolonged sickness response in adult male
mice compared to the other groups. … Taken together, this data suggest that pubertal and adult and male and female mice differ in their response to an immune challenge.”
ManFlu. info has some humorous advice for women — who have now been proved stronger — on how to help their men cope with this “immune challenge.”
Your beloved will barely be able to lift his fingers to work the remote control by now. There will be dramatic displays of coughing and chest holding. He will present a red and sniffly nose, and a
phantom fever. Do not mention FHM or Maxim to take his mind off the illness ravaging his poor body. You may also be required to gently dab his forehead with a lightly dampened sponge or massage his feet. This life threatening stage may last from three to five days.
It may. If their women don’t kill them first.
The site also offers selfcare tips for man- flu- afflicted men.
Frequently, following a period of Man Flu, the nominated female carer may also start to exhibit symptoms such as a runny nose and aching joints. This
is, of course, the common cold and not Man Flu ( obviously!). By far, the best way for her to deal with this is carry on with her normal day to day routine as if the cold wasn’t there. After all, it’s hardly Man Flu, is it?
Suddenly, I’m not just sniffling and sneezing, I’m gagging too.
I’ll be sick if you don’t email: jchristman@ arkansasonline. com
What’s in a Dame is a weekly report from the woman ’ hood. You can hear Jennifer on Little Rock’s KURB- FM, B98.5 ( B98. com), from 5: 30- 9 a. m. Monday through Friday.