Many people for some reason hesitate or do not want to consult a doctor with various questions, including those that affect the compatibility of alcohol with vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, rabies or other life-threatening infections. Often the situation develops so that the day of vaccination falls on a 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 more accessible and modern, have long since got rid of terrible epidemics and pandemics that have easily taken tens of thousands of human lives. Feeling a certain security and being in the company of an intense pace of life, the person begins to easily understand the vaccination procedure. However, there are enough myths about the dangerous effects of alcohol on humans.
Meanwhile, alcohol has a harmful and negative effect on the entire human body, it cannot cure a person of various diseases (which some people are sure of), especially those that are contagious in nature.
Types of vaccinations
There is a complete list of vaccines to be given to an adult. Also, those vaccinations that were done in childhood, over time, cease to be effective, which will require re-vaccination.
- HPV. This vaccine is mandatory to be administered three times to girls aged 11 to 26 years. Papilloma virus can lead to cancerous tumors of the cervix.
- Hepatitis A or B. Different vaccines are used for injections. 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 particularly picky about sex and change partners regularly.
- Influenza. This vaccine should be given to young people and adults. It is especially necessary to vaccinate citizens who work in public places with high traffic (waiters, doctors, social fund workers, salesmen).
- Encephalitis. This is a pathology that threatens a person with mortal danger or disability. The most effective protection is vaccination. The vaccine must be given before a person plans to travel to an area where the risk of infection is very high. Vaccination usually takes place in two phases.
- Rabies. Such an injection must be given to people who are at risk of infection. The patient receives 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 the beginning of childbirth (in the second or third trimester).
- Mumps, rubella or smallpox. In fact, this vaccination is carried out in childhood, but if one of the stages of vaccination is missed, and the adult did not suffer from these diseases, then the immunization must be done urgently.
- Water goddesses. If an adult suffers from this disease, then in relation to the younger age the process of the course of the disease is more difficult. In addition, chickenpox in adults can lead to serious complications. Accordingly, those persons who did not have smallpox in childhood are obliged to be vaccinated. The disease can lead to shingles, so people over the age of 60 must be injected with the vaccine.
Why you need to vaccinate an adult
Children's hospitals and educational institutions carry out strict controls to ensure that the schedule of compulsory vaccination is strictly adhered to. Many people are under the misconception that only children should be vaccinated. With the right approach to this process and state aid, it was possible to reduce to almost zero the probability of developing infectious epidemics in countries where medicine is available to everyone and is at a high level of development.
Most often, after some time, the effect of the vaccine stops, so it will be necessary to revaccinate in order for the person to continue to be protected from various infections. Since a large number of adults have a habit of relieving stress or fatigue with alcohol, vaccination can change the established way of life for a while.
The importance of vaccinations and your doctor's advice should not be taken lightly!
Self-medication and ignoring medical requirements often translates into serious deterioration in well-being, health problems.
Why it is forbidden to drink alcohol after vaccination
The vaccination process affects the human body quite intensively, exerting strong stress on it. The immune system reacts sharply to dangerous agents that enter the body, quickly producing large amounts of antibodies. Thus a strong and stable immune system is formed.
In order for the phase of formation of immunity and its protective function to pass as calmly, painlessly and correctly as possible, it is important that the general health condition of people is good. Preventive procedures aimed at preventing chronic diseases, a strong immune system help the body to safely overcome the first stages after vaccination.
Fact!Even when alcohol is taken in minimal quantities, it has a depressing effect on the immune system and the work of internal systems and human organs.
Despite the fact that ethanol does not interact directly with those 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, alcohol consumption may reduce the effect of the vaccine. The immune system, which is weakened in this case, is not able 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 consuming 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 lead to some complications or side effects that can be quite unpleasant. According to the statistics of the World Health Organization, the body of a healthy person reacts negatively to the vaccine in only 1% of all cases.
This means that out of a hundred people who are vaccinated, only one will experience the side effects of the vaccine. Alcohol consumption significantly increases the likelihood of diseases associated with a weakened immune system during the action of the vaccine.
Among those who drink alcohol frequently, more than thirty percent may experience side effects after vaccination.
Too many negative reactions can occur after alcohol consumption, if vaccination is performed against the following diseases:
- measles;
- tick-borne encephalitis;
- tetanus;
- hepatitis A;
- rabies;
- diphtheria.
The following side effects of the vaccine are the most common:
- 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;
- flu-like condition;
- loss of consciousness and dizziness;
- difficulty breathing;
- pain in the musculoskeletal system.
At the same time, the process of adapting the immune system to a foreign agent takes from a few days to 2 weeks. During this time, patients may experience excessive drowsiness, lack of appetite, excessive sweating, and weakness. At this stage, the body recognizes an "unknown" infection. If ethanol enters the bloodstream at the indicated time, it can reduce antibody production, meaning the virus strain will be blocked less effectively than needed. Also, drinking alcohol after vaccination can turn intocompletely 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, smallpox 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 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, immunity retains its protective function for 10 years. Vaccination is carried out in several phases, lasting about six months.
How long after vaccination can you drink alcohol?
In addition to 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 vaccination is carried out against the above infections, even a small dose of alcohol can lead to an urgent need for hospitalization of the patient and prolonged therapy. Each person is responsible for their own health. Alcoholic beverages are not a food product that is necessary to maintain vital functions, so abstinence will bring only good for a person for a while, and the immune system will work more efficiently.
By following the doctor's recommendations, the patient will be able to prevent the occurrence of serious complications, and the vaccine will be as effective as possible.