Many people, for some reason, hesitate or do not want to consult a doctor with various questions, including the question of how alcohol is compatible with vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, rabies, or other life-threatening infections. Often, the situation develops in such a way that the date of vaccination falls on a date that is intended for a party or event. And then the vaccinated patient faces a tough choice - to drink or not?
The most developed countries, in which medicine is increasingly popular and modern, have long been spared from terrible epidemics and pandemics that easily claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people. Feeling a certain security and being in a fast-paced society, one begins to take the vaccination procedure lightly. However, there are enough myths about the dangerous effects of alcohol on humans.
Whereas alcohol has adverse and negative effects on the human body as a whole, it cannot cure a person from various diseases (which some are certain of), especially those withinfectious nature.
Types of Vaccines
There is a complete list of vaccines that should be given to adults. In addition, vaccines that were given in childhood, over time, become ineffective, and will need to be revaccinated.
- HPV virus. This vaccine is required to be given to girls aged 11 to 26 years old three times. The papillomavirus can lead to a cancerous tumor in the cervix.
- Hepatitis A or B. Different vaccines are used for injection. Hepatitis A is given to healthcare professionals and people with certain problems with liver function, alcohol, and drugs. Hepatitis B vaccination is important for people who are not particularly selective about their sex and who frequently change sexual partners.
- Flu. Young people and adults should get this vaccine. In particular, it is necessary to vaccinate citizens who work in public places with high traffic volume (waiters, doctors, social fund workers, sales staff).
- Encephalitis. This is a pathology that threatens a person with the risk of death or disability. The most effective protection is provided by vaccination. This vaccine must be given before a person plans to travel to an area with a very high risk of infection. Usually, vaccination has two phases.
- Rabies disease. Such an injection must be given to people at risk of infection. The patient received six injections over the course of three months.
- A shot against tetanus, pertussis, or diphtheria pathogens. This vaccine is given every ten years. If a woman is pregnant and it has been more than a decade since her previous vaccination, the vaccine should be given before the baby is born (in the second or third trimester).
- Mumps, rubella or measles. In fact, this vaccination is done from childhood, but if one of the vaccination stages is missed and the adult does not have any of these diseases, the vaccination must be done urgently. grant.
- Chicken pox. If adults have this disease, the younger it is, the more difficult the progression of the disease is. In addition, chickenpox in adults can cause serious complications. Therefore, people who did not get chickenpox in childhood are required to be vaccinated. The disease can lead to shingles, and so people over 60 also need to get vaccinated.
Why you need adult vaccinations
Children's hospitals and educational institutions exercise strict control to ensure the observance of the mandatory vaccination schedule. Many people have the misconception that only children should be vaccinated. Due to the right approach to this process and government support, the likelihood of developing infectious diseases can be reduced to almost zero in countries where there is medicine for all and at this level of development. highly developed.
Usually, after a while, the effect of the vaccine ends, so re-vaccination needs to be done so that the person remains protected from various infections. Given that a large number of adults have a habit of reducing stress or fatigue with alcohol, vaccination can change lifestyles for a while.
The importance of vaccinations and medical advice should not be underestimated!
Self-medication and ignoring medical requirements often lead to serious deterioration, health problems.
Why not drink alcohol after vaccination?
The vaccination process affects the human body quite deeply, putting a strong strain on the human body. The immune system reacts strongly to dangerous agents that enter the body, rapidly producing large amounts of antibodies. Thanks to this, a strong and stable immune system is formed.
In order for the period of formation of immunity and its protective function to proceed as calmly, painlessly and accurately as possible, it is important that the general state of human health be good. Preventive procedures to prevent chronic diseases, a strong immune system help the child's body safely get through the early stages after vaccination.
Reality!Even when consumed in minimal amounts, it has the effect of depleting the immune system and the functioning of a person's internal systems and organs.
Despite the fact that ethanol does not directly interact with the drugs contained in the vaccine, alcohol reduces the ability of the immune system to perform its protective function and the production of antibodies becomes less effective. . Therefore, drinking alcohol may decrease the effectiveness of the vaccine given. In this case, the immunity is weakened, it is not possible to produce the necessary amount of antibodies, which can lead to side effects or even complete infection with the agent after vaccination.
What are the risks of drinking alcohol after vaccination?
Currently, medicine is gradually moving away from the use of "live" viruses in the vaccination process. Either way, even vaccines that are considered "non-live" can lead to some complications or side effects that can be quite unpleasant. According to statistics provided by WHO, the body of healthy people reacts negatively to vaccines in only 1% of the total cases.
This means that out of a hundred people who have been vaccinated, only one will experience unwanted side effects from the vaccine. Drinking alcohol significantly increases your chances of getting diseases related to a weakened immune system during the course of the vaccine's action.
Among regular drinkers, more than thirty percent may experience co-morbidities after vaccination.
Excessive negative reactions are possible after drinking alcohol, if vaccination is carried out against the following diseases:
- Measles;
- tick-borne encephalitis;
- Tetanus;
- hepatitis A virus;
- rabies;
- diphtheria.
Most often, the following concomitant negative manifestations of the vaccine occur:
- diarrhea, digestive disorders, vomiting;
- increased body temperature;
- sore throat, pain syndrome and cough;
- swelling at the injection site;
- increased or decreased blood pressure, manifestations of cardiac arrhythmias;
- a flu-like condition;
- loss of consciousness and dizziness;
- shortness of breath;
- pain in the musculoskeletal system.
At the same time, the process of the immune system adapting to the foreign agent lasts from a few days to 2 weeks. During this time, the patient may be very sleepy, lose appetite, sweat a lot, and feel weak. At this stage, the "unfamiliar" infection is already recognized by the body. If ethanol enters the bloodstream at the indicated time, this can reduce antibody production, meaning the virus strain will be contained less effectively than required. In addition, drinking alcohol after vaccination can have unpredictable consequences, leading not only to complications, but also to actual infection.
Drinking alcohol is most dangerous after being 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 on the first day of vaccination and the next 2-3 days.
Vaccination against the rabies virus lasts for three months, and for an established time it is absolutely forbidden to drink alcohol, even in minimal quantities.
Usually, vaccination against viral hepatitis is combined with vaccination against the causative agent of diphtheria. In this case, immunity retains its protective function for 10 years. Vaccination is carried out in several stages, lasting about six months.
How long after vaccination can you drink alcohol?
Besides the fact that alcohol can interfere with the normal functioning of the immune system, it is an excellent breeding ground for pathogens. Loyal doctors sometimes allow him to drink a symbolic glass of wine a few days after vaccination.
But it should be noted that if vaccination against the above infections is done, even a small dose of alcohol can lead to urgent hospitalization and prolonged treatment. Everyone is responsible for their own health. Alcohol is not a food necessary to maintain vital functions, so abstaining for a while will only benefit one person, and the immune system will work more efficiently. .
By following the recommendations of the doctor, the patient will be able to prevent the occurrence of serious complications and the vaccine will be as effective as possible.