New survey from Vicks examines global cold and flu experiences

CINCINNATI — The average person spends three years of their life battling a cold, according to a recent global survey by Vicks. The results showed that globally, consumers report 35 billion sick days over the span of 12 months. This is based on 22% of respondents who report that they’ve called in sick due to cold or flu symptoms. China topped the list of countries with the most sick days with an average of 12 billion days annually. 

 

Vicks’ cough and flu survey boasts 15,000 respondents in 15 countries. The survey was designed to help understand the impact of the common cold and/or flu at the individual level. Though the survey presented some regional differences, there also were several similarities in the way that global cough, cold and flu sufferers managed and treated their illnesses. 

 

The year’s most surprising find, the brand said, was the role that social media played in cough and cold. Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed used social media as a method of coping when they were sick. 

 

And, despite directions from healthcare providers for patients to stay home to recover and limit spreading the illness to others, the survey showed that two-thirds of people went to work when they were sick anyway. The leading reason behind not taking a sick day? Consumers were afraid they would fall behind at work (34.7%); they had financial concerns (33.6%); or felt "work pressures" (32.6%). 

 

The fourth annual Vicks Global Cold and Flu Survey was conduced during two time periods: between April and July of 2014, and at the end of cough, cold and flu seasons across 15 nominated countries. The countries surveyed include Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Spain, Ukraine and the United States, according to Vicks. 

 

Global findings can be found at GlobalUnderTheWeatherReport.com.