Many people for some reason are hesitant or unwilling to consult a doctor with a variety of issues, including one that affects the compatibility of alcohol with vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, rabies, or other life-threatening infections. Often the situation develops in such a way that the day of vaccination falls on the date set for a party or event. And then the vaccinated patient is faced with a difficult choice - to drink alcohol or not?
The most developed countries, where medicine is becoming widely available and modern, have long since got rid of the horrific epidemics and pandemics that have easily claimed tens of thousands of lives. Feeling a certain safety and being in a society with an intense rhythm of life, a person begins to accept the vaccination procedure more easily. However, there are enough myths about the dangerous effects of alcohol on humans.
Meanwhile, alcohol has a detrimental and negative effect on the whole human body, it can not cure a person of various diseases (in which some people are sure), especially those that are infectious.
Varieties of vaccinations
There is a whole list of vaccines that should be given to an adult. Also, these childhood vaccinations cease to be effective over time, which will require re-vaccination.
- 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 problems with liver function, alcohol and drugs. Hepatitis B vaccination is important for those people who are not very picky about sex and change partners regularly.
- flu. This vaccine should be given to young people and adults. In particular, it is required to vaccinate citizens who work in public places with high traffic (waiters, doctors, employees of social funds, traders).
- Encephalitis. This is a pathology that threatens a person with mortal danger or disability. The most effective protection is provided by vaccination. The vaccine should be given before a person plans to travel to an area where the risk of infection is very high. Most often, vaccination takes place in two stages.
- Rage. Such an injection should be given to people at risk of infection. The patient received six injections over three months.
- Injection against 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 vaccine, then it will be necessary to vaccinate before giving birth (during 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 is missed and an adult has not suffered from any of these diseases, then the immunization must be carried out urgently.
- Chickenpox. If an adult suffers from this disease, then compared to a younger age the process of the course of the disease is more difficult. In addition, chickenpox in adults can lead to serious complications. Therefore, those who did not have chickenpox in childhood should be vaccinated. The disease can lead to shingles, so people over 60 should also be given the vaccine injection.
Why you should vaccinate an adult
Children's hospitals and educational institutions exercise strict control to ensure strict adherence to the mandatory vaccination schedule. Many people have the misconception that only children should be vaccinated. Thanks to the right approach to this process and government assistance, it has been possible to reduce to almost zero the likelihood of developing infectious epidemics in countries where medicine is accessible to all and at a high level of development.
Most often, after some time the effect of the vaccine ends, therefore it will be necessary to revaccinate 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 lifestyle for some time.
The importance of vaccination and the advice given by your doctor should not be taken lightly!
Self-medication and neglect of medical requirements often turns into a serious deterioration in well-being, health problems.
Why it is forbidden to drink alcohol after vaccination
The process of vaccination affects the human body quite intensely, putting great stress on it. The immune system reacts sharply to dangerous agents that enter the body, rapidly producing large amounts of antibodies. This creates a strong and stable immune system.
In order for the stage of formation of immunity and its protective function to proceed as calmly, painlessly and correctly as possible, it is important that the general state of human health is good. Preventive procedures aimed at preventing chronic diseases, a strong immune system help the body safely overcome the first stages after vaccination.
Fact!Even when alcohol is consumed in minimal amounts, it has a depressing effect on the immune system and the work of a person's internal systems and organs.
Despite the fact that ethanol does not interact directly with the drugs contained in the vaccine, alcohol reduces the ability of the immune system to perform a protective function and the production of antibodies becomes less efficient. Therefore, drinking alcohol may reduce the effect of the vaccine provided. Immunity, which in this case is weakened, is unable to produce the required amount of antibodies, which can lead to side effects or even complete infection with the agent after vaccination.
What is the risk of drinking alcohol after vaccination
Now medicine is gradually moving away from the use of "live" viruses in the vaccination process. Either way, even those vaccines that are considered "inanimate" can cause some complications or side effects that can be quite unpleasant. According to statistics provided by the WHO, the body of a healthy person reacts negatively to the vaccine in only 1% of all cases.
This means that out of one hundred people who have been vaccinated, only one will experience unwanted side effects from the vaccine. Drinking alcohol significantly increases the likelihood of diseases associated with a weakened immune system during the action of the vaccine.
Among those who frequently drink alcohol, more than thirty percent may develop co-morbidities after vaccination.
Excessive adverse reactions may occur after drinking alcohol if vaccination is given against the following diseases:
- measles;
- tick-borne encephalitis;
- tetanus;
- hepatitis A;
- rage;
- diphtheria.
The most common side effects of the vaccine are most common:
- diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, vomiting;
- fever;
- sore throat, pain and cough;
- swelling at the injection site;
- increase or decrease in blood pressure, arrhythmic manifestations;
- flu-like condition;
- loss of consciousness and dizziness;
- difficulty breathing;
- pain in the musculoskeletal system.
At the same time, the process when the immune system adapts to a foreign agent lasts from a few days to 2 weeks. During this time, patients may experience excessive drowsiness, loss of appetite, excessive sweating, and weakness. At this stage, the "unknown" infection is recognized by the body. If ethanol enters the bloodstream at this time, it may reduce the production of antibodies, which means that the virus strain will be blocked less effectively than necessary. Also, drinking alcohol after vaccination can have completely unpredictable consequences, which will lead not only to complications but also to a real infection.
It is most dangerous to drink alcohol after vaccination against hepatitis, rabies, measles and tetanus. Some diseases require vaccination, which is carried out in several steps, and the most important thing is to pay attention to how you feel on the first day of vaccination and the next 2-3 days.
Vaccination against the rabies virus lasts for three months, and during the established period it is absolutely forbidden to drink alcohol, even in minimal quantities.
Hepatitis vaccination is often combined with diphtheria vaccination. In this case, the immune system retains its protective function for 10 years. Vaccination is carried out in several stages, which take about six months.
How long after vaccination can you drink alcohol?
Apart from the fact that alcohol can interfere with the proper functioning of the immune system, it is an excellent breeding ground for pathogens. Doctors who are 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 if vaccinated against the infections mentioned above, even a small dose of alcohol can lead to an urgent need for hospitalization of the patient and long-term therapy. Everyone is responsible for their own health. Alcohol is not a food product that is necessary to maintain vital functions, so abstinence for a while will only bring benefits to humans, and the immune system will work more efficiently.
By following the doctor's recommendations, the patient will be able to prevent serious complications and the vaccine will be as effective as possible.