Many people hesitate or for some reason do not want to see a doctor over a variety of questions, including one regarding the compatibility of alcohol with a vaccination for diphtheria, tetanus, rabies, or other infections that threaten a person's life. Often the situation develops in such a way that the day of vaccination falls on the date scheduled for a party or event. And then the vaccinated patient is faced with a difficult decision - to take alcohol or not?
The most developed countries, where medicine is becoming widespread and modern, have long since got rid of the terrible epidemics and pandemics that easily claimed tens of thousands of lives. With the feeling of a certain security and in a society with an intense rhythm of life, the vaccination is taken lightly. However, there are enough myths about the dangerous effects of alcohol on humans.
Meanwhile, alcohol has an adverse and negative effect on the entire human body, it cannot cure a person from various diseases (some of which some people are safe), especially contagious in nature.
Varieties of vaccinations
There is a whole list of vaccines that must be given to an adult. Vaccinations given in childhood also lose their effectiveness over time, which requires re-vaccination.
- HPV. This vaccine must be given three times to girls aged 11 to 26 years. The papillomavirus can lead to a cancerous tumor of the cervix.
- Hepatitis A or B. Different vaccines are used for injection. Hepatitis A is given to healthcare professionals and people who have liver problems, alcohol, or drugs. Vaccination against hepatitis B is important for people who are not particularly picky about sex and who change partners regularly.
- Flu. This vaccine should be given to young people and adults. In particular, it is necessary to vaccinate citizens who work in public places with high traffic (waiters, doctors, social fund employees, salespeople).
- Encephalitis. This is a pathology that threatens a person who is deadly or disabled. Vaccination offers the most effective protection. The vaccine must be given before a person intends to travel to an area where the risk of infection is very high. The vaccination usually takes two phases.
- Rabies. Such an injection must be given to people at risk of infection. The patient will receive six injections over a period of three months.
- An injection against tetanus, whooping cough or diphtheria pathogens. This vaccine is given every ten years. If a woman is carrying a child and it has been more than a decade since the previous vaccination, she must be vaccinated before giving birth (in the second or third trimester).
- Mumps, rubella, or measles. In fact, this vaccination is done in childhood, but if one of the vaccination phases has been missed and an adult did not have any of these diseases, it is urgent to vaccinate.
- Chickenpox. When an adult has this disease, the disease process is more difficult compared to a younger age. In addition, chickenpox can cause serious complications in an adult. As a result, those who did not have chickenpox in childhood must be vaccinated. The disease can lead to shingles, so people over the age of 60 must also have a vaccination.
Why you need to vaccinate an adult
Children's hospitals and educational institutions have strict controls to ensure that the prescribed vaccination schedule is strictly followed. Many people believe that only children should be vaccinated. Proper approach to this process and government support have reduced the likelihood of developing infectious epidemics to near zero in countries where medicines are available to everyone and are at a high level of development.
In most cases, the vaccine will stop working after some time, so it will need to be re-vaccinated so that the person is still protected from various infections. Given that many adults have a habit of relieving stress or fatigue with alcohol, vaccination can change the established way of life for some time.
The importance of vaccination and the advice of your doctor should not be taken lightly!
Self-medication and ignoring medical requirements often lead to serious deteriorations in well-being and health problems.
Why is it forbidden to consume alcohol after vaccination?
The vaccination process affects the human body quite intensely and puts a lot of stress on it. Immunity reacts sharply to dangerous substances that enter the body and quickly produces large amounts of antibodies. This creates a strong and stable immune system.
So that the stage of immunity formation and its protective function can proceed as calmly, painlessly and correctly as possible, it is important that the general state of health of the person is good. Preventive methods of preventing chronic diseases, a strong immune system will help the body safely overcome the first stages after vaccination.
Fact!Even if alcohol is consumed in small quantities, it has a depressant effect on the immune system and the performance of the internal systems and organs of a person.
Despite the fact that ethanol does not interact directly with the drugs in the vaccine, alcohol decreases the immune system's ability to perform a protective function and the production of antibodies becomes less effective. Therefore, drinking alcohol can make the vaccine less effective. The weakened immunity in this case is unable to produce the required amount of antibodies, which can lead to side effects or even complete infection with the pathogen after vaccination.
What is the risk of drinking alcohol after vaccination?
Now medicine is gradually moving away from the use of "live" viruses in vaccination. In any event, even such vaccines that are considered "dead" can lead to some complications or side effects that can be quite uncomfortable. According to WHO statistics, the body of a healthy person reacts negatively to the vaccine in only 1% of all cases.
This means that in every 100 people vaccinated, only one will experience undesirable side effects from the vaccine. Drinking alcohol greatly increases the chances of experiencing ailments associated with a weakened immune system while the vaccine is working.
Of those who drink alcohol frequently, more than thirty percent may develop comorbidities after vaccination.
An excessively negative reaction can occur after drinking alcohol if vaccination against the following diseases has been carried out:
- Measles;
- Tick encephalitis;
- Tetanus;
- Hepatitis A;
- Rabies;
- Diphtheria.
Most often, the following accompanying negative manifestations of the vaccine appear:
- Diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, vomiting;
- increased body temperature;
- Sore throat, pain syndrome, and cough;
- Swelling at the injection site;
- Increase or decrease in blood pressure, arrhythmic manifestations;
- a flu-like condition;
- Loss of consciousness and dizziness;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Musculoskeletal pain.
At the same time, the process of adapting the immune system to a foreign substance takes a few days to 2 weeks. During this time, patients may experience excessive sleepiness, loss of appetite, excessive sweating, and weakness. At this stage the "unknown" infection is recognized by the body. If ethanol gets into the blood at the specified time, this can reduce the production of antibodies, which means that the virus strain is blocked less efficiently than necessary. Also, drinking alcohol after vaccination can lead to completely unpredictable consequences, leading not only to complications, but also to a real infection.
It is most dangerous to drink alcohol after having been vaccinated against hepatitis, rabies, measles, and tetanus. Some diseases require vaccination, which is done in several steps, and the most important thing is to pay attention to how you feel for the first day of vaccination and the next 2-3 days.
Vaccination against the rabies virus lasts three months, and during the set period the consumption of alcohol is absolutely prohibited, even in minimal amounts.
The vaccination against hepatitis is often combined with a vaccination against the pathogen causing diphtheria. In this case, immunity retains its protective function for 10 years. The vaccination takes place in several steps that last about six months.
How long after vaccination can you drink alcohol?
Aside from the fact that alcohol can impair the proper functioning of the immune system, it is an excellent breeding ground for pathogens. Doctors loyal to the patient sometimes allow him to drink a symbolic glass of good wine a few days after the vaccination.
It should be borne in mind, however, that if you are vaccinated against the above-mentioned infections, even a small dose of alcohol can lead to an urgent need for hospitalization and prolonged therapy. Everyone is responsible for their own health. Alcoholic beverages are not a food that is necessary for the maintenance of vital functions, so prolonged abstinence will only benefit a person and the immune system will work more efficiently.
By following the doctor's recommendations, the patient will be able to prevent serious complications from occurring, and the vaccine will be as effective as possible.