Research suggests that the male immune system is less effective at fighting infections than that of females. Picture: Marzolla Dean Source: The Daily Telegraph
BRITISH researchers have found evidence that men really do suffer more than women when they get a cold.
The male immune system is less effective at fighting infections than that of females, scientific results published by Britain's Daily Express newspaper reveal.
A team at Queen Mary University of London studied the immune system response of mice and rats which were given a range of infections and scientists say the results can be translated to humans.
"We found that the females had around twice as many white blood cells than males which was a huge surprise," Dr Ramona Scotland, head of the research team, told the Express.
"When we started to look at how these white blood cells behaved we found that not only were there more cells, but that the cells were more responsive to bacteria and other invaders - and that they worked more effectively.
"Crucially, they didn't release as many of the chemicals that stimulate the immune system response. It's the release of these mediators that makes you feel lousy when you're fighting off an infection."
Overall, the female mice and rats in the trial were less sick than their male counterparts.
"I believe that the same will be true for people because this is a very ancient part of the mammal's immune response," Dr Scotland said.
"Man flu is a bit of a joke, but from what I'm seeing there is a real difference."
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