This is why many people with long COVID feel lightheaded or even faint after standing up, as their blood vessels don’t constrict enough, causing blood pressure to drop. It’s a hallmark symptom of POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), which about 2% to 14% of people who test positive for COVID end up developing. All the extra histamine may explain why some people feel terrible after drinking alcohol post-COVID.
“Spike Effect” of COVID-19 Vaccines and Alcohol
Individuals with a lowered tolerance, also known as acute sensitivity, may experience the effects of intoxication even after consuming relatively small amounts of alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption can suppress your immune system, increase inflammation, and impair the functioning of key immune system cells. This can leave your body vulnerable to infections and hinder its ability to fight off the virus. Additionally, heavy drinking can cause side effects similar to those experienced after receiving the vaccine, such as headaches, fatigue, and body aches. It may become challenging to distinguish between vaccine side effects and alcohol-induced symptoms, making it important to monitor and report any adverse reactions accurately.
COVID-19 Vaccination and Alcohol Consumption: Justification of Risks
However, some animal and clinical studies suggest that moderate alcohol consumption reinforces the immune response to infection and vaccination. Some of the health benefits of moderate beer consumption may be due to its ability to interfere with pro-inflammatory cytokine cascades 31. Alcohol consumption, especially chronic heavy drinking, has an impact on human health, particularly on the components of both innate and adaptive immunity 1,2. A large number of early and recent studies have demonstrated that both short- and long-term alcohol consumption leads to a severe decrease in lymphocytes 3,4. Alterations in immunoglobulins IgA and IgM have been observed in men and women who drink alcohol 5,6. Ethanol dose- and time-dependently modulates the functions of monocytes and dendritic cells, thereby affecting phagocytosis and inflammatory cytokine production 7.
This case series is limited to four patients who self-identify as White or Hispanic, highlighting the need for further research investigating the potential influence of racial and ethnic background on alcohol intolerance in patients with PASC. However, due to the limited available data on post-COVID-19 alcohol intolerance, it’s unclear whether it’s a temporary or long-term symptom. While research on alcohol intolerance post-COVID-19 is limited, numerous anecdotal reports suggest that alcohol intolerance could be a symptom of long COVID for some individuals. There’s growing evidence that it may be a unique symptom of long COVID, particularly the post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS) type. If you have alcohol allergy, the only way to avoid symptoms is to avoid alcohol completely.
mRNA-Based Vaccines and Alcohol Consumption
Although the underlying mechanisms aren’t fully understood, the symptom may be linked to the broader condition of long COVID and share similarities with conditions like myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). When stress exceeds a certain limit, it might trigger brain inflammation, resulting in symptoms like those seen in ME/CFS, including alcohol intolerance. Ongoing research, including advanced brain scans, aims to further investigate these connections.
- While not widely recognized as a symptom of long COVID due to limited research, alcohol intolerance has been reported by some individuals.
- Very rarely, a person may have a “true” alcohol allergy, meaning they are allergic to the ethanol in alcohol.
- Many published articles suggest that alcohol consumption has a dose-dependent effect on the response to infection.
Such a reaction, in combination with the spike effect, can increase the negative consequences of vaccination in the body. The vaccine manufactured by Novavax (Gaithersburg, MD, USA) is the only recombinant subunit COVID-19 vaccine currently authorized for use alcohol intolerance after covid in the United States by the FDA. NVX-CoV2373 contains a saponin-based Matrix-M1 adjuvant and a recombinant SARS-CoV-2 nanoparticle vaccine from the full-length, wild-type SARS-CoV-2 S protein 61.
- Therefore, it is recommended to drink extra water and be mindful of your consumption levels.
- There’s no official government recommendation on this, but the experts we talked to say it’s not really something to worry about, within reason.
- Ethanol-induced overexpression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) activates pro-inflammatory nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) signaling pathway and exacerbates the “spike effect” of COVID-19 vaccines.
- But after her infection, she found herself unable to tolerate even small amounts of alcohol, experiencing unpleasant sensations like lightheadedness, sluggishness, and queasiness after just a few sips.
- In summary, while drinking alcohol may not impair the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine, it is important to be mindful of potential side effects.
- The CDC does offer some guidance for people who have been newly vaccinated, but it focuses more on the possible side effects, information about ingredients, and what we know about COVID-19 immunity—no mention of booze, though.
Why do some people have alcohol intolerance after COVID?
To avoid confusion in monitoring and reporting side effects to the CDC, it is recommended to refrain from excessive drinking before or after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine. By maintaining hydration and avoiding alcohol, you can better manage any potential side effects that may arise. Medications called antihistamines can help treat symptoms of a mild allergic reaction. The medication epinephrine, commonly called an EpiPen, can help treat a severe allergic reaction.
Additionally, drinking alcohol may negatively impact your immune system, which is crucial for a successful vaccine response. Alcohol can suppress the immune system, making your body more vulnerable to infections and slowing down recovery from physical trauma and infections. For instance, binge drinking can impair immune homeostasis, making it harder for your body to recover from injuries such as burns, hemorrhagic shock, and traumatic brain injuries. There is currently no official guidance on drinking alcohol after the Covid-19 vaccine. The U.S. government has not issued any recommendations on drinking alcohol before or after receiving the vaccine. However, some experts advise against drinking alcohol after getting the Covid-19 vaccine.
Therefore, it is recommended to drink extra water and be mindful of your consumption levels. Some side effects of the Covid-19 vaccine, such as headache, fatigue, and body aches, can mirror the symptoms of a powerful hangover. Additionally, alcohol can cause dehydration, which could further contribute to feeling unwell. In summary, while a drink or two is unlikely to impact the vaccine’s effectiveness, heavy alcohol consumption should be avoided to maintain a robust immune system and ensure the vaccine’s optimal efficacy. Drinking alcohol in close proximity to receiving a vaccine may confuse the identification of side effects, as some vaccine side effects, such as headaches, fatigue, and body aches, can mirror hangover symptoms.
Histamine intolerance
The condition doesn’t go away, but people can manage it by avoiding booze of all kinds. People of Asian descent are more likely to have the genetic mutation, so they have the condition at greater rates compared with other racial groups.
In people with true alcohol allergy, as little as 1 milliliter (mL) of pure alcohol can trigger an allergic reaction. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine works differently, as it modifies an existing adenovirus, which usually causes colds, with the spike protein. It’s then copied into mRNA and your cells begin making spike proteins, causing your body to produce antibodies. Several anecdotal reports suggest that alcohol intolerance may be linked to long COVID, specifically the post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS) type.
Protein Subunit Vaccines and Alcohol
It’s also possible to be allergic to proteins in filling agents, such as egg or shellfish, which manufacturers sometimes use to remove fine particles from alcoholic beverages. Alcohol intolerance can cause an immediate or delayed reaction, with delayed reactions sometimes occurring 20 to 30 minutes after alcohol consumption, according to the ME Association. However, the ME Association in the United Kingdom notes that alcohol acts on the central nervous system (CNS), and that people with CFS appear to have a generalized hypersensitivity to drugs that act on the CNS.