1 in 3 say their partner acts like a baby when sick

One-third of couples say their partner is a baby when they’re sick.

That’s according to a new survey of 2,000 Americans, which included 951 who live with a partner.

Those who live with a partner also described them as stubborn (25%) and dramatic (23%) when they're sick — while 22% said their partner refuses to admit they’re sick.

Despite the refusal to admit when they’re feeling under the weather, the results did find that overall, Americans surveyed only feel 100% fit and healthy for just 16 days of the average winter month.

Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Zipfizz, the survey looked to see the common ailments dragging us down in the colder months.

The number one telltale sign cited by participants was lack of energy (58%), followed by the more common symptoms of coughing (42%), sore throat (40%) and congestion (38%).

Respondents also cited other less obvious symptoms like mixing up what day of the week it is (29%), getting in arguments with loved ones (21%) and putting objects in unusual places (14%), like accidentally placing keys in the fridge.

The survey also found that the average person experiences “sickness suspicion” for two days before succumbing to illness.

And we don’t always suffer in silence — someone who is sick is likely to mention it twice per day until they feel better. Though there’s sometimes a tendency to assume a difference between men and women, results showed both complain about illness the same.

“Winter’s a tough time of year and often busy so feeling off form can really hamper us,” said Marcela Kanalos, a spokesperson for Zipfizz. “The results show many people are feeling less than their best for half of the season and that takes its toll on our moods, energy and overall enjoyment of life.”

Respondents say their typical reaction when they think they’re getting sick is to rest (61%), stay hydrated (58%) and take medicine (46%).

Respondents also said a cold takes them out of commission for an average of three days.

Of the proactive measures respondents said they take on a daily basis to keep from getting sick, staying hydrated was the most popular way (80%), followed by taking vitamins and supplements (77%) and resting (75%).

“Taking little steps ahead of feeling sick in order to set yourself up well from a health perspective can make all the difference,” explained Kanalos. Just simply staying on top of your hydration can make or break your winter season.”

12 OF THE MOST EXTREME THINGS AMERICANS HAVE DONE WHEN THEY’RE SICK

Put shoes in the refrigerator

Can’t remember their own name

Forget to make coffee

Put on two different high heels, same color, in a rush

Forget to pick up kid from school

Drove with pizza on roof of car

Leave groceries on the bus

Forget why they left the house

Go to work on a day off

Forget an important doctor’s appointment

Forget wallet/purse with ID at home

Accidentally threw phone away with trash

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans; the survey was commissioned by Zipfizz and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Dec. 5 - 9, 2024.