Many people, for some reason, hesitate or do not want to see a doctor about a variety of issues, including those related to the compatibility of alcohol and vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, rabies, or other life-threatening infections in humans. The situation often occurs when the day of vaccination falls on the date assigned to a party or event. And then the vaccinated patient faces a difficult decision - to take alcohol or not?
The most developed countries, where medicine is becoming more widely available and modern, have long since gotten rid of horrific epidemics and epidemics that have easily claimed tens of thousands of lives. Feeling a certain security and living in a society with an intense pace of life, one begins to take the vaccination procedure more loosely. However, there is quite a myth circulating about the dangerous effects of alcohol on humans.
Meanwhile, alcohol has a harmful and negative effect on the whole human body, unable to cure a person from various diseases (which some are sure of), especially those that are infectious in nature.
Types of vaccinations
There is a complete list of vaccines to be given to adults. In addition, vaccinations in childhood become effective over time and should be revaccinated.
- HPV. This vaccine should be given three times to girls aged 11 to 26 years. Papillomavirus can cause cancer of the cervix.
- Hepatitis A or B. Different vaccines are used for injection. Hepatitis A is given to health professionals and people who have liver problems, alcohol and drug problems. Hepatitis B vaccination is important for those who are not particularly picky about sex and change partners regularly.
- Flu. This vaccine should be given to young people and adults. In particular, vaccination of citizens working in high-traffic public places (waiters, doctors, social workers, salespeople) is necessary.
- Encephalitis. It is a pathology that puts a person at risk of death or disability. Vaccination provides the most effective protection. The vaccine should be given before a person travels to an area where there is a very high risk of infection. The vaccination usually consists of two stages.
- Rabies. Such an injection should be given to people who are at risk of infection. The patient receives six injections over three months.
- Injection against pathogens of tetanus, pertussis or diphtheria. This vaccine is given once every ten years. If a woman is carrying a child and more than a decade has passed since the previous vaccination, it should be given before the start of childbirth (in the second or third trimester).
- Mumps, rubella or measles. In fact, this vaccination is given in childhood, but if one of the stages of vaccination has been missed and an adult has not suffered from any of these conditions, immunization should be given urgently.
- Chicken pox. If an adult suffers from this disease, the course of the disease is more difficult compared to younger age. In addition, chickenpox can cause serious complications in adults. Consequently, vaccination is mandatory for persons who did not have chickenpox in childhood. The disease can lead to shingles, so people over the age of 60 must also receive the vaccine.
Why should an adult be vaccinated?
Children's hospitals and educational institutions carry out strict inspections to ensure that the mandatory vaccination schedule is strictly adhered to. Many live in the misconception that only children should be vaccinated. With the right approach to this process and government assistance, it has been possible to reduce the likelihood of infectious epidemics to almost zero in countries where the drug is available to all and at a high level of development.
Most often, the effect of the vaccine ends after a while, so it should be revaccinated to keep the person protected from various infections. Given that many adults have a habit of relieving stress or fatigue with alcohol, vaccination can change their lifestyle for a while.
The importance of vaccination and the advice of your doctor should not be taken lightly!
Self-medication and disregard for medical requirements often lead to serious deterioration in well-being and health problems.
Why is it forbidden to drink alcohol after vaccination?
The vaccination process affects the human body quite intensively, putting strong stress on it. The immune system reacts sharply to the dangerous substances that enter the body, which quickly produce large amounts of antibodies. This creates a strong and stable immune system.
In order for the stage of development of immunity and its protective function to proceed as smoothly, painlessly and correctly as possible, it is important that the general state of human health is good. Preventive procedures for the prevention of chronic diseases, a strong immune system help the body to safely overcome the first stages after vaccination.
Fact!Even if alcohol is consumed in minimal amounts, it suppresses the immune system as well as the performance of a person’s internal systems and organs.
Although ethanol does not interact directly with the drugs in the vaccine, alcohol reduces the protective function of the immune system and the production of antibodies is less efficient. Therefore, alcohol consumption may reduce the effect of the supplied vaccine. When the immune system is weakened, it is unable to produce the required amount of antibody, which can lead to side effects or even complete infection after vaccination.
What are the risks of drinking alcohol after vaccination
Now, medicine is gradually moving away from the use of "live" viruses in the vaccination process. Either way, even vaccines that are considered "lifeless" can lead to complications or side effects that can be quite unpleasant. According to WHO statistics, only 1% of healthy people respond negatively to the vaccine.
This means that only one in every 100 people vaccinated will have an unwanted side effect. Alcohol consumption significantly increases the risk of developing diseases associated with a weakened immune system during exposure to the vaccine.
More than thirty percent of frequent drinkers may experience concomitant illness after vaccination.
Excessive negative reactions to alcohol may occur if you have been vaccinated against the following diseases:
- measles;
- tick-borne encephalitis;
- tetanus;
- hepatitis A;
- rabies;
- diphtheria.
The most common side effects with the vaccine are:
- diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, vomiting;
- increased body temperature;
- sore throat, pain syndrome and cough;
- swelling at the injection site;
- increase or decrease in blood pressure, arrhythmias;
- flu-like condition;
- loss of consciousness and dizziness;
- difficulty breathing;
- pain in the musculoskeletal system.
However, it takes a few days to 2 weeks for the immune system to adapt to a foreign substance. During this time, patients may experience excessive drowsiness, loss of appetite, excessive sweating, and weakness. At this stage, the body recognizes the "unknown" infection. If ethanol enters the bloodstream at the indicated time, it may reduce the production of antibodies, which means that the virus strain is blocked less effectively than necessary. In addition, post-vaccination alcohol consumption can become completely unpredictable, leading not only to complications but also to real infections.
Alcohol consumption is most dangerous after vaccination against hepatitis, rabies, measles and tetanus. Some diseases require vaccination, which takes place in several steps, and the most important thing is to pay attention to how you feel on the first day of vaccination and for 2-3 days afterwards.
Vaccination against the rabies virus lasts for three months, and it is strictly forbidden to consume alcohol, even in minimal amounts, during the prescribed period.
Vaccination against hepatitis is often combined with vaccination against the pathogen of diphtheria. In this case, immunity retains its protective function for 10 years. Vaccination takes place in several stages, lasting about six months.
How long can I drink alcohol after vaccination?
In addition to disrupting the proper functioning of the immune system, alcohol 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 vaccination.
But it should be borne in mind that even vaccination against the above-mentioned infections can result in urgent hospitalization and prolonged therapy. Everyone is responsible for their own health. Alcoholic beverages are not foods that are necessary to maintain vital functions, so prolonged abstinence only benefits a person and the immune system works more efficiently.
By following your doctor's recommendations, the patient will be able to prevent serious complications from occurring and the vaccine will be as effective as possible.