Some experts discuss whether you should avoid alcohol before and after vaccinating COVID-19, as it may affect your immune response. But one doctor we spoke to gave another reason you might want to skip the drinks during the vaccination: alcohol can increase the likelihood of you reacting to the vaccination. Here’s more about the connection.
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This doctor wants you to avoid alcohol after receiving your COVID-19 vaccine – this is why
Can I drink alcohol after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?
Purvi Parikh, MD, an immunologist and allergist at Allergy & Asthma Network, told POPSUGAR that ‘alcohol actually lowers your threshold for allergic reactions, because it actually causes your blood vessels to dilate, or what we call vasodilate, and causes it inflammation in your body. “The result is that ‘you are more likely to respond’,” she added.
Although a rash of the Moderna vaccine is specifically harmless and normal – and in the short term – alcohol can aggravate a reaction. Dr Parikh recommends avoiding alcohol on the day of a vaccine and at least 24 hours after vaccination, or until any side effects – which may include fever, fatigue, muscle and joint pain and swollen lymph nodes – subside. And that’s whether you have allergies or not.
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“Suppose you feel normal again within 24 hours, that’s great. But if you experience 48 hours of side effects, I will not add any more fuel to the fire,” said Dr. Parikh, who is also a co-investigator on COVID-19 vaccine trials at NYU, noted. She also said she would give the same advice for both doses of the currently available mRNA vaccines – Pfizer and Moderna – especially since the second dose allegedly leads to greater side effects.
Blanka Kaplan, MD, a specialist in allergy and immunology for adults and children at Northwell Health, similarly told WebMD that alcohol can accelerate allergic reactions, and she suggested an even longer period to avoid alcohol around your vaccination date. . “As we do not yet know enough about the effect of alcohol on allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccines, I recommend drinking alcohol 24 hours before and after your vaccination,” she said.
Dr Parikh also noted that the serious adverse effects of the vaccine such as anaphylaxis would occur 30 to 60 minutes after receiving the shot. However, she suggests that you call your healthcare provider if you have any signs of an allergic reaction such as a rash on your skin, and then they can decide the severity of the reaction themselves. An indication of a more severe reaction to the vaccine is lightheadedness, breathing problems and vomiting, and dr. Parikh suggests that you contact your doctor. If in doubt, you can of course contact your doctor about any side effects you are having.
Since there is still much we do not know about these COVID-19 vaccines, it is best to be careful and avoid alcohol during ingestion to reduce inflammation and a possible allergic reaction.
POPSUGAR aims to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information on the coronavirus, but details and recommendations regarding this pandemic may have changed since its publication. For the latest information on COVID-19, consult the sources of the WHO, CDC and local public health departments.
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