The cold war

It is generally accepted that when it comes to colds, coughs and wheezing men wither on the vine with ‘man flu’ while women are generally both hardier and more sympathetic when it comes to caring for their ailing partner.

However, a new study by Lemsip shows that men are actually more likely to:

* take on household chores or look after the kids when their partner is ill
* show at least five minutes of genuine sympathy to their loved one
* be generally sympathetic to their girlfriend or wife's ailments

Whereas women are more likely to:

* be actively unsympathetic towards their partner's illness
* assume their partner will be grumpy purely because they are ill
* and much less likely to forfeit spending time with their friends to play nursemaid

As winter returns, the 'Cold War' will be back with a vengeance - and men may need their snotty tissue to cry into when they receive a cold shoulder from their significant other.

Ruby Wax says, "Everyone likes to think that women are the ones that can always offer a sympathetic ear, and they are the most caring and considerate sex. The survey results are therefore surprising, who would have thought men would come out on top as the most sympathetic sex when it comes to offering a kind word or two to a partner suffering with a cold or flu! Although I do wonder if it's maybe because men hope that the favour will be repaid next time they are ill!"

For more info visit lemsip.co.uk.