Many people, for whatever reason, are hesitant or unwilling to see a doctor with a variety of questions, including one that affects the compatibility of alcohol with vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, rabies, or other threatening infections. a person in danger of death. Often times, the situation evolves in such a way that the day of the vaccination falls on the date that has been reserved for a party or event. And then the vaccinated patient is faced with a difficult choice: to take alcohol or not?
The most developed countries, where medicine is becoming widely available and modern, have long since gotten rid of the horrific epidemics and pandemics that have easily claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people. Feeling secure and being in a fast paced society, a person begins to take the vaccination procedure more lightly. However, there are enough myths about the dangerous effects of alcohol on humans.
Meanwhile, alcohol has a bad and negative effect on the whole human body, it cannot cure a person of various diseases (which some people are sure of), especially those that are infectious in nature.
Varieties of vaccines
There is a whole list of vaccines that should be given to an adult. In addition, vaccinations made in childhood, over time, cease to be effective, which will require revaccination.
- HPV. This vaccine should be given three times to girls aged 11 to 26. The papillomavirus can cause a cancerous tumor of the cervix.
- Hepatitis A or B. Different vaccines are used for injection. Hepatitis A is given to healthcare professionals and to people with liver problems, alcohol and drugs. Vaccination against hepatitis B is important for people who are not particularly picky about sex and change partners regularly.
- Flu. This vaccine should be given to young people and adults. In particular, it is compulsory to vaccinate citizens who work in public places with high traffic (waiters, doctors, social fund workers, salesmen).
- Encephalitis. It is a pathology that threatens a person in danger of death 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 receives six injections over a three month period.
- An injection against the 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 vaccine, then it will be necessary to immunize before the start of childbirth (in the second or third trimester).
- Mumps, rubella or measles. In fact, this vaccination is carried out in childhood, but if any of the stages of vaccination were missed and an adult does not suffer from any of these diseases, the vaccination should be carried out urgently.
- Varicella. If an adult suffers from this disease, then compared to a younger age, the process of the development of the disease is more difficult. In addition, chickenpox in an adult can lead to serious complications. Therefore, people who did not have chickenpox in childhood should be vaccinated. The disease can lead to shingles and therefore people over the age of 60 should also be injected with the vaccine.
Why you should vaccinate an adult
Children's hospitals and educational institutions exercise strict control to ensure that the compulsory vaccination schedule is strictly adhered to. Many people mistakenly believe that only children should be immunized. Thanks to the correct approach to this process and the help of the government, it has been possible to reduce to almost zero the probability of developing infectious epidemics in countries where medicine is available to all and is at a high level of development. .
Most often, after some time, the effect of the vaccine ends, so it will be necessary to carry out a revaccination, so that the person is still protected from various infections. Considering that a large number of adults are used to relieving stress or fatigue with alcohol, vaccination can change the established lifestyle 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 results in severe deterioration of well-being and health problems.
Why is it forbidden to take alcohol after vaccination
The process of vaccination quite intensively affects the human body, putting great stress on it. Immunity reacts strongly 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 stage of the 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 helps the body safely overcome the first stages after vaccination.
Do!Even when alcohol is taken in minimal amounts, it has a depressing effect on the immune system and the performance of a person's internal systems and organs.
Despite the fact that ethanol does not directly interact with the drugs in the vaccine, alcohol reduces the ability of the immune system to perform a protective function and antibody production becomes less efficient. Therefore, alcohol consumption may reduce the effect of the vaccine provided. Immunity, being in this case weakened, is unable to produce the required volume of antibodies, which can lead to side effects or even complete infection by the agent after vaccination.
What is the risk of drinking alcohol after vaccination
Today, medicine is gradually moving away from the use of "live" viruses in the vaccination process. In any case, even vaccines considered "non-living" can cause complications or side effects which 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 cases.
This means that out of a hundred people who have been vaccinated, only one will experience unwanted side effects from the vaccine. Alcohol consumption greatly increases the likelihood of illnesses associated with a weakened immune system while the vaccine is working.
Among those who drink alcohol frequently, more than thirty percent may suffer from concomitant illnesses after vaccination.
Too negative reaction may occur after drinking alcohol, if the vaccination was carried out against the following diseases:
- measles;
- tick-borne encephalitis;
- tetanus;
- Hepatitis A;
- rage;
- diphtheria.
Most often, the following concomitant negative manifestations of the vaccine occur:
- diarrhea, gastrointestinal disturbances, 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 in breathing;
- pain in the musculoskeletal system.
At the same time, the process of adapting the immune system to a foreign agent lasts from a few days to 2 weeks. During this time, patients may experience excessive drowsiness, lack of appetite, excessive sweating, and weakness. At this point, the "unknown" infection is recognized by the body. If ethanol enters the bloodstream at the correct time, it can reduce the production of antibodies, which means that the virus strain will be blocked less effectively than necessary. In addition, the consumption of alcohol after vaccination can have completely unpredictable consequences, which will lead not only to complications, but also to a real infection.
It is more dangerous to drink alcohol after being vaccinated against hepatitis, rabies, measles and tetanus. Some diseases require vaccination, which is done in several stages, and it is very important 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 during the established period it is absolutely forbidden to take alcohol, even in minimal quantities.
Often vaccination against hepatitis is combined with vaccination against the causative agent of diphtheria. In this case, immunity retains its protective function for 10 years. The vaccination takes place in several stages, which last about six months.
How long after vaccination can you drink alcohol?
Besides the fact that alcohol can interfere with the proper functioning of the immune system, it is an excellent breeding ground for pathogens. Doctors loyal to the patient sometimes allow him to have a symbolic glass of good wine a few days after the vaccination.
But it should be borne in mind that if the vaccination is carried out against the infections mentioned above, even a small dose of alcohol can lead to an urgent need for hospitalization of the patient and prolonged treatment. Everyone is responsible for their own health. Alcoholic beverages are not a food product necessary for the maintenance of vital functions. Therefore, abstinence for a while will only bring benefits for a person, and the immune system will work more effectively.
By following the doctor's recommendations, the patient will be able to prevent the onset of serious complications, and the vaccine will be as effective as possible.