These days, many of us ask this question with alcohol and COVID-19 in mind. We know our immune system fights to keep us healthy, but we don’t ordinarily question how it works. The immune system is comprised of a variety of different cell types and proteins designed to recognize and/or react against foreign material (germs). Excessive drinking has numerous impacts on your body and mind, ranging from mild to severe.
This increase in circulating Igs correlates with increased levels of antibodies directed against liver antigens and byproducts of oxidative damage. Finally, alcohol exposure in utero significantly interferes with the development of T cells and B cells, which ultimately might increase risk for infections during adulthood. In contrast to the devastating effects of chronic alcohol abuse, a few studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption increases the number of Motives and Side-Effects of Microdosing With Psychedelics Among Users PMC T cells; improves T-cell cytokine production; and enhances immune response to vaccines in humans, nonhuman primates, and rodents.
Drinking impairs immune cells in key organs
That can put you at risk for long-term disease, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Even a short bout of binge drinking leaves you at higher risk for infection for about 24 hours. If you are drinking heavily or are worried you may be dependent on alcohol, reach out to a healthcare provider before you start reducing your alcohol consumption to determine the safest way to make changes. If you drink twice or week or less and only drink two to three drinks per occasion, your immune system may not be at a high risk of damage.
More recent studies confirmed this observation and showed that the lack of lymphocytes (i.e., lymphopenia) was as severe in people who engaged in a short period of binge drinking as it was in individuals who drank heavily for 6 months (Tonnesen et al. 1990). Interestingly, abstinence for 30 days was sufficient to restore lymphocyte numbers back to control levels (Tonnesen et al. 1990). Likewise, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats consuming liquid diets containing up to 12 g ethanol/kg/day for 35 days exhibited significantly reduced absolute numbers of T cells (Helm et al. 1996). Alcohol consumption also influences T-cell activation both in humans and in mouse models (Cook et al. 1991, 1995). Another aspect of cell-mediated immunity that is affected by ethanol consumption is the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response.
Higher Vulnerability to Disease
It’s simultaneously putting out the fire and trying desperately to save the cat. (And remember, there are fewer firefighters available to work because of those white blood cells that stress has destroyed). There is some evidence that sorrow, especially if lasts a long time, can depress your body’s immunity. The effect can linger for 6 months, but may go on longer if your grief is deep or doesn’t ease. Talk to your doctor or a mental health professional if you need help with a loss or traumatic event.
Preventing Immune System Damage
- But even low amounts of daily drinking and prolonged and heavy use of alcohol can lead to significant problems for your digestive system.
- The studies found that when animals consumed ethanol before BCG vaccination, they were not protected against a subsequent pulmonary challenge with M.
- To this end, one study analyzed IL-10, IL-6, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels in 25 non-treating seeking heavy drinkers after they had consumed an alcoholic drink.
- The unique nature of our immune systems means that not every immune system responds, reacts or functions in quite the same way.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. surgeon general have warned people to avoid drinking too much alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic. For those who have a risk factor for COVID-19, like heart disease or diabetes, he recommends drinking even less. Similarly, alcohol can trigger inflammation in the gut and destroy the microorganisms that live in the intestine and maintain immune system health. The unique nature of our immune systems means that not every immune system responds, reacts or functions in quite the same way. So, it’s important to continue having conversations with your doctor about your condition and any new changes or developments you’re experiencing. When you receive an organ transplant, your body’s immune system might try to reject the new organ because it recognizes it as a foreign invader.
Alcohol does not directly cause UTIs, but it can increase a person’s risk of developing a UTI and worsen the symptoms of an existing UTI. When alcohol hinders the body’s immune system, it also hinders its ability to fight UTIs because it allows bacteria to travel throughout the body faster. Chronic alcohol consumption decreases the number of circulating T cells, increases the number of activated T cells, accelerates differentiation of T cells to a memory phenotype, and interferes with thymocyte development. Healthy habits, such as being active, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep, can keep your immune system strong. But unhealthy factors, like stress, smoking, or drinking alcohol, can be taxing for your immune system and make it harder for it to fight off infection. By illuminating the key events and mechanisms of alcohol-induced immune activation or suppression, research is yielding deeper insights into alcohol’s highly variable and sometimes paradoxical influences on immune function.
Responses to Vaccination
T-cell activation was assessed by measuring the expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR on the patient’s CD8 cells. HLAs are proteins found on the surface of various cells that present antigens to the TCR on T cells to induce an immune response. The alcohol-related decrease in peripheral B cells primarily seems to be mediated by a decrease in the frequency of the B-2 B cells. The number of B-1a cells also seems to decline, but this decrease is accompanied by a relative increase in the percentage of B-1b cells (Cook et al. 1996). The loss of B-2 cells may explain why alcoholics often cannot respond adequately to new antigens.
Not getting enough sleep can make you more likely to catch viruses or germs. That’s because your body can’t make as many infection-fighting cells and proteins called antibodies that help defend against illness. Your body releases certain proteins that help the immune system, called cytokines, only during sleep. A weaker immune system will have a harder time fighting off common infections (such as a cold), as well as HIV-related infections.