How Flu Affects Sperm
Influenza is a viral infection affecting your throat, nose, and lungs. Influenza may be mild or severe and is more common in children below five years, adults over the age of 65, pregnant women, and people with a compromised immune system. Obese individuals or those who are chronically ill or working in nursing homes also face an increased risk of acquiring the illness.
Influenza may cause fever above 100 °F, chills, headache, sweats, muscle pain, dry or persistent cough, sore throat, and congestion of the nasal passages. Although influenza resolves on its own, certain individuals may be severely affected by bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, heart and ear infections.
How Can You Prevent the Flu and Get it Treated
The flu virus is contagious, and in most cases, an influenza vaccine proves effective in reducing the risk of infection. It is safe for most individuals except those with egg allergies and may need additional medical supervision. Other ways to prevent flu are washing hands regularly, avoiding crowds, and covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
Flu requires bed rest and increased fluid intake. Severe cases of flu require antiviral medication to proactively deal with possible complications. The medication may sometimes cause nausea, vomiting, or delirium. Physicians may also prescribe pain relievers to reduce the intensity of aches and pains.
How Does Influenza Affect Male Fertility
Researchers have found a strong correlation between influenza and infertility by studying animal models.
Research Evidence on the Effect of Flu on Sperm Characteristics
- Influenza may affect the sperm quality and the integrity of sperm DNA.
- High fever characteristic to influenza may affect sperm chromatin structure, a tightly wound formation of protein and DNA in sperm cells, leading to the production of abnormal sperm.
- Laboratory tests on animal models reinforce the possibility of impaired sperm quality and infertility due to chromosome aberration of the sperm, a disorder or mutation of the sperm DNA that may lead to loss of fertility and vigor.
However, understanding the impact of influenza in humans over time may require further scientific investigation.
Flu Treatment and Medication Outcomes on Male Infertility
Antiviral medication and treatment does not adversely affect fertility or sperm quality. However, increased ingestion of acetaminophen or paracetamol, prescribed for its analgesic properties may compromise male sexual health:
- Clinical trials provide evidence on the intake of heavy doses of the drug leading to male infertility and affecting semen quality and morphology. These drugs may suppress the synthesis of testosterone and produce oxidative stress, causing the death of sperm cells.
- Pain medication has an adverse effect on the production of nitric oxide that plays a key role in sperm motility and in preserving normal sperm function.
- Pain killers also reduce the synthesis of prostaglandins. Although inhibition of prostaglandins may prove favorable in assisted reproduction, evidence from research suggests its adverse effect on sperm motility. However, the subject requires further research inquiry.
Although flu may not always impair male sexual health, its illness severity may have serious negative consequences on the function of sperms. Antiviral therapy for flu, is, therefore, recommended for shorter recovery times. Lastly, analgesics must be used with caution and under the supervision of a medical practitioner as heavy doses of over-the-counter pain medications disrupt sperm and semen quality and function.
