General

Sniffling, coughing, complaining men aren’t just being babies

Male immune system evolved to be weaker: study

There’s a reason men always tend to feel (and complain about) the common symptoms of colds and flu more than their female counterparts. According to a recent Cambridge University study, over time, men traded off their immunity for other evolutionary advantages, such as getting and keeping mates. At the same time, women have evolved to build up their immunity, spending the bulk of their time tending to children, who, as any parent will attest, are prone to pick up and pass on illness. The result: the immune systems of men are less well-equipped to stave off sickness than those of women.

Toronto Star

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