Beer And Fever: Is It Safe To Drink?

Drinking alcohol when you're sick is generally not recommended, and this is especially true if you have a fever. Alcohol can weaken your immune system, making your body more susceptible to infections and inflammatory diseases that can cause a fever. It can also dehydrate you, exacerbating fever symptoms and prolonging your recovery. Alcohol may also interfere with the effectiveness of antibiotics, slowing down your recovery and making them less effective. If you're running a fever, doctors recommend staying hydrated with non-alcoholic fluids and getting plenty of rest.

Can I drink beer if I have a fever?

Alcohol weakens the immune system

Drinking alcohol when you have a fever is generally not recommended. Alcohol weakens the immune system and can slow down your recovery. Here are some reasons why alcohol weakens the immune system:

Alcohol is a Toxin

Alcohol is a toxin that the body prioritizes metabolizing over other substances. The body can only metabolize about 1oz of alcohol per hour. If you drink more than that, your system has to fight off both the infection and the alcohol, leading to a slower recovery.

Impact on the Gut Microbiome

Alcohol alters the makeup of the gut microbiome, which is home to trillions of microorganisms that perform crucial roles for your health. It also affects the ability of these microorganisms to support your immune system.

Damage to Intestinal Immune Cells

Drinking alcohol may damage the immune cells that line the intestines and serve as the first line of defense against bacteria and viruses. This damage makes it easier for pathogens to cross into your bloodstream, increasing your susceptibility to infections.

Dehydration

Alcohol has a dehydrating effect, which can worsen congestion when you are sick. It is important to stay hydrated to ensure that all the cells in your body have enough fluid to function properly.

Sleep Disruption

While a small amount of alcohol may help you fall asleep, excessive alcohol consumption disrupts REM sleep, the most restorative type of sleep. It also activates alpha activity, preventing your body from getting the deep sleep it needs. Sleep is crucial for recovery, and alcohol-induced sleep disruption can prolong the recovery process.

Interaction with Medications

Alcohol can interact with certain over-the-counter and prescription medications, including some common cold medications. For example, combining alcohol with acetaminophen can lead to liver damage, as both are metabolized in the liver. Always check for potential interactions before consuming alcohol while taking any medication.

Alcohol can dehydrate you

Drinking alcohol can cause dehydration. Dehydration occurs when the body does not have enough fluids to function effectively. Alcohol has a diuretic effect, which means it causes the body to remove fluids more quickly. This happens because alcohol suppresses the release of the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin, which controls how much water the kidneys reabsorb and retain. As a result, the body loses fluids and electrolytes more rapidly.

The risk of dehydration is greater when drinking alcohol on an empty stomach. This is because alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the stomach lining and small intestine. Eating food before and while drinking alcohol can slow down the absorption of alcohol and reduce the risk of dehydration.

To counteract alcohol-induced dehydration, it is important to drink water or other hydrating beverages along with alcohol. It is recommended to have at least one glass of water for each serving of alcohol. Drinking slowly and consuming alcohol in moderation can also help prevent dehydration.

In addition to causing dehydration, alcohol can have other negative effects on the body. It can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, alter the balance of the microbiome, and affect sleep quality. Therefore, it is important to drink alcohol in moderation and ensure proper hydration to minimize the risks associated with alcohol consumption.

While the belief that alcohol causes dehydration is widespread, some sources dispute this claim. They argue that while alcohol may initially increase urine output, subsequent drinks do not lead to further increases in urine output compared to drinking water. However, the majority of evidence suggests that alcohol does have a dehydrating effect, especially when consumed in large quantities.

Alcohol disrupts sleep

Alcohol also suppresses REM sleep, which is considered the most mentally restorative phase of sleep. While a small amount of alcohol can help you fall asleep faster, it will lead to disrupted and poor-quality sleep later in the night. This is because alcohol acts as a sedative that interacts with several neurotransmitter systems important in the regulation of sleep.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, the production of adenosine (a chemical in the brain that acts as a sleep-inducer) increases while drinking, allowing you to go to sleep quickly. However, this chemical quickly subsides, making you more likely to wake up throughout the night.

A 2018 study found that alcohol had significant effects on sleep quality, regardless of whether consumption was light, moderate, or heavy. Low alcohol intake reduced sleep quality by 9.3%, moderate alcohol intake by 24%, and heavy alcohol intake by nearly 40%.

Alcohol can cause liver abnormalities

Drinking alcohol when you're sick is generally not recommended. Alcohol can weaken your immune system, disrupt your sleep, and cause dehydration—all of which can slow down your recovery. On top of that, many bacterial and viral illnesses, including infections, can cause abnormalities in liver functions. Alcohol consumption can also lead to liver abnormalities and even liver disease.

Alcohol-Induced Liver Abnormalities

Alcohol-associated liver disease is a common but preventable condition. It occurs when alcohol misuse leads to liver damage and abnormalities in its function. The liver is a resilient organ capable of regenerating itself. However, each time the liver filters alcohol, some liver cells die. Prolonged alcohol misuse over many years can reduce the liver's ability to regenerate, resulting in serious and permanent damage.

There are three main types of alcohol-associated liver disease:

• Steatotic (fatty) liver: This is the most common alcohol-induced liver problem. It occurs when there is a build-up of fat inside the liver cells, leading to an enlarged liver. Steatotic liver rarely causes any symptoms, but it is a warning sign of harmful alcohol consumption.
• Acute hepatitis: Alcohol-associated hepatitis is an acute inflammation of the liver, leading to liver cell death and permanent scarring.
• Cirrhosis: Alcohol-associated cirrhosis is the destruction of healthy liver tissue, which is replaced by scar tissue. This can cause the liver to stop functioning correctly.

Symptoms of Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease

Alcohol-associated liver disease may not cause any noticeable symptoms until the liver has been severely damaged. Some possible symptoms include:

• Upper belly discomfort on the right side
• Tiredness and weakness
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract
• Fluid build-up in the belly (ascites)
• Increased infections
• Poor appetite and weight loss
• Red, spider-like blood vessels on the skin
• Swelling in the legs and abdomen
• Confusion or problems with thinking

Treatment for Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease

The primary treatment for alcohol-associated liver disease is to stop consuming alcohol completely. Participating in an alcohol use disorder treatment program can help individuals achieve this goal. Dietary changes may also be recommended, and in severe cases, a liver transplant may be necessary. With complete alcohol avoidance and time, the liver can often heal and recover some of its functions.

Alcohol interferes with antibiotics

It is generally advised to avoid drinking alcohol while taking antibiotics due to the harmful interactions and side effects that can occur. Alcohol can directly inhibit the effectiveness of antibiotics, slow down recovery, and even make antibiotics ineffective.

When the body breaks down alcohol, it produces acetaldehyde, which can cause nausea. Antibiotics can often cause stomach or digestive side effects, and drinking alcohol while taking antibiotics can increase feelings of nausea. Both alcohol and antibiotics can also hinder cognitive function, concentration, and coordination.

Drinking alcohol while taking antibiotics can also interfere with essential processes that are critical for recovering from a bacterial illness, such as sleep and hydration. Alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns and prevent the body from getting a good night's sleep. It can also cause dehydration, which is especially important to avoid when running a fever.

In addition, alcohol can stop the body from absorbing vital nutrients, increase blood sugar levels, and zap energy levels, all of which can reduce the body's ability to heal from an infection. Acute alcohol use, binge drinking, and chronic alcohol use can all be harmful, regardless of whether or not you are taking medication.

Mixing alcohol with certain antibiotics can also cause a potentially dangerous reaction and damage vital organs, including the liver and kidneys. Some specific antibiotics that can cause violent physical reactions when combined with alcohol include Metronidazole, Linezolid, Sulfamethoxazole, and Trimethoprim.

Therefore, it is best to avoid alcohol while taking antibiotics and give your body adequate rest and nutrition to support the healing process.

Frequently asked questions