The fairer sex likes to throw about the phrase “Man Flu” but new research suggests men aren’t coming down with the flu as often as women.
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According to the research men are more likely to take preventative cold and flu measures.
Women, the research says, are twice as likely to get struck down by cold and flu three or more times a year.
The research also reveals viruses cost businesses $4.6 billion in lost productivity throughout the cold an flu season.
According to Cowra pharmacist Kate Austin the figures could be explained by the fact she sees a lot of women buying preventative measures for men.
“On a whole we would see more women coming in,” Ms Austin said of the research.
“A lot of them are saying ‘I’m getting this for my husband, son, father’, occasionally we get a man in here who looks like he’s dying but that’s normally after they've been to the doctor.
“It gets to the stage that they are so sick that the doctor is the only place they can go.
“Some people come in and they really do look half dead and they struggle on and others don’t look that sick at all,” she said.
The research shows 46 per cent of the nation’s workers will need to take sick leave, with one in five requiring three or more days’ off and 42 per cent of NSW residents will need to take sick or carers leave each year.
Of that 42 per cent, eight per cent will need to take at least one week off, four per sent will need to take four days off, six per cent will need three days off, 14 per cent will need two days off and 11 per cent will take a single day off.
Ms Austin said this year’s cold and flu season had seen people taking longer to get over their ailment.
“I’d say it’s an average season, there has been a few bugs going around that people are finding harder to shake.
“So instead of having it for say five or six days they have it for two weeks, but that may not be the flu it could be the common cold.”
Ms Austin said the best way to combat this was to take the time to rest
"It really comes down to rest, treat the symptoms, but rest is probably the most important thing,” she said.
“People try to keep going and they are sicker for longer, because they keep going to work.
“A day in bed at the start of your cold or flu is a lot better then three days in bed four days later.
“People with underlying health issues are the ones who really need to look after themselves, because if they get sick they can end up with a hospital visit,” she said.
The best pick for keeping that cold or flu at bay?
Ms Austin says there isn’t one.
“There are a lot of vitamins now that can help boost your immunity, but it ultimately it comes down to looking after yourself and washing hands.”