Yahoo Lifestyle 
The man flu is not a myth
Finally, some scientific truth to the dreaded man flu.
Scientists from Harvard University have found some backing to claims that men get hit with the flu worse than women.
A study published in the journal Life Sciences has found that a dose of oestrogen can fortify the immune system, in theory making women more resistant to respiratory illnesses than men.
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Researchers discovered that a dose of oestrogen was able to cure both male and female mice of bacterial pneumonia. After introducing the bacteria into the lungs of male and female mice, they found the female sex hormone was able to speed up recovery.
Lead study author, Lester Kobsik from the Harvard School of Public Health found that female mice had a greater resistance to infection. Why? Thanks to nitric oxide synthase 3, an enzyme activated by the release of oestrogen.
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In anther round of testing, researchers then removed the enzyme and found female mice were unable to fight the infection.
“Ultimately, this work could be especially useful in reducing the risk of secondary bacterial pneumonias during seasonal or pandemic influenza,” said Kobzik, who hopes the discovery could improve resistance to common lung infections and prevent the development of pneumonia.
