New research reveals that men don't exaggerate cold and flu symptoms as much as women may think.
According by the Medibank 24/7 Health Advice Line, fourth-fifths of male respondents say they aren’t badly affected by colds.
Fewer than one-in-ten of the more than 1,000 surveyed said they expected to be looked after by their partner.
Telephone data also shows women are twice as likely to call the advice line to discuss their symptoms and ask for information than men.
And while nearly half of women tell their loved ones when they feel under the weather, men are more likely to keep it a secret.
More than half of men don't take cough or cold medicine and only a third take Vitamin C or a natural remedy.
Medibank's health line medical director Dr Georgia Karabatsos says the Aussie male stereotype has led to men being silent about important health matters.
"It's really important, as a nation, that we don't let the Aussie male stereotype put pressure on the male population to stay silent about ill health or abnormalities.”
She says "man flu" is often joked about, but leads to some men feeling unable to discuss their health.
"While it's not necessary to seek advice for every cold, it's essential men feel able to discuss more serious symptoms," Dr Karabatsos said.
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