However, after some nights out with friends and solo wine nights at home that involved only a couple drinks, Quinlan noticed her body acting as if she had at least eight, she told BuzzFeed News. That’s all to say that an injured liver — or an undiagnosed liver disease, which Rachakonda says is very common because most cases are symptomless — likely won’t process alcohol as it should. It’s possible that people who cannot tolerate alcohol after COVID may have sustained an acute liver injury from their infection or have an undiagnosed liver condition. Treatment for long COVID, including symptoms like alcohol intolerance, typically involves a multidisciplinary approach aimed at managing specific symptoms and improving overall well-being. In a March 2021 blog post, neurologist Georgia Lea discussed the potential connection between long COVID, specifically the PVFS type, and alcohol intolerance. There’s growing evidence that it may be a unique symptom of long COVID, particularly the post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS) type.
Harvard Health, Stanford Clinic give tips on how to manage and prevent hangovers
- The study reports the cases of four people who had long COVID and experienced acute alcohol sensitivity, which led to changes in their drinking habits.
- Alcohol sensitivity has been observed in a patient with PASC in a case report 20 but has not been widely studied.
- Patients may be advised to avoid the type of drink or ingredient that may be triggering symptoms.
- In the meantime, healthcare providers should take alcohol intolerance into account when evaluating and treating post-COVID symptoms.
Clinicians assessing PASC patients should inquire about alcohol consumption and tolerance in their social history, as this information can provide insights into potential triggers for worsening symptoms and help guide lifestyle management strategies. Furthermore, investigating the underlying biological mechanisms responsible for new-onset alcohol reactions and sensitivity may provide valuable insights into the underlying pathophysiology of post-viral conditions, such as PASC and ME/CFS. Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), or long COVID, is characterized by persistent symptoms after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection that can vary from patient to patient.
Can you drink alcohol when taking antiviral medication for COVID-19?
Studies have found that it shows up in anywhere between 65% to 80% of people with the illness. A neurologist with long COVID in Louisiana also wrote about her experience with it in a March 2021 blog post, and a Reddit thread from last February revealed more people dealing with the same problem. One theory suggests that the virus causing COVID-19 acts as a severe stressor, possibly affecting a part of the brain called the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). This could make the PVN extra sensitive to life’s stresses, causing fatigue and relapses similar to ME/CFS.
Is alcohol intolerance a symptom of long COVID-19?
Some people describe feeling sick after consuming only a small amount of alcohol, while others report experiencing hangover-like symptoms that seem disproportionate to their alcohol intake. However, if you’re physically dependent on alcohol or drink heavily, stopping drinking without medical supervision may be dangerous. However, these medications can cause unpleasant side effects, like headaches, which may be worsened with alcohol use. At the same time, people with active alcohol use disorder shouldn’t suddenly stop drinking without medical supervision, as alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous. While hand sanitizer containing alcohol may kill the virus on surfaces, drinking alcohol doesn’t cure or prevent a COVID-19 infection.
Further research is needed to establish a clearer understanding of this phenomenon. While one preprint study suggests that alcohol intolerance is a common symptom of long COVID, there’s very little research on the topic. A 2021 study found that people who drink at least once a week are more likely to develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) during COVID-19 hospitalization.
Wine Spectator Magazine
The patient reported one instance, post-COVID infection, during which she had one glass of wine and had such a bad reaction that she felt she could not move. She described her symptoms as similar to a “bad hangover,” with a headache, grogginess, and “overwhelming” fatigue the next day. This patient received four doses of COVID-19 vaccination, three administered prior to her COVID infection and one post COVID infection.
This may be because alcohol use can weaken your immune system, making you more prone to infectious diseases. At the Minneapolis-based clinic, only a few long COVID patients have brought up concerns about alcohol intolerance. According to Dr. Melnik, alcohol is not a main concern for most patients (“usually they do have bigger fish to fry, so to speak,” she said) and doctors don’t usually ask about it. “My first few drinks, I was like, ‘oh well, this is just my long COVID pain.’ But when I would have a glass of wine with dinner, I’d feel terrible again,” the Arkansas resident said. “So it finally dawned on me that even small sips of alcoholic drinks were exasperating my symptoms quite a lot.” Harmon now avoids alcohol entirely. When she got COVID in February 2021, she experienced loss of taste and smell for several weeks, which included a weird aversion to foods like onions and guacamole.
A 60-year-old male with no prior medical history presented with five months of persistent symptoms following acute COVID infection, including headache, cognitive impairment, anxiety, long covid alcohol intolerance and mood and sleep disturbances. These symptoms were disruptive to his regular activities including work and recreation. The patient reported a mild to moderate acute COVID infection that was managed outpatient with supportive care. Prior to his initial COVID infection, the patient reported consuming alcohol twice a month with no issue or reactions. The patient experienced chronic, daily headaches characterized by a squeezing sensation at the top and back of the head, typically worst at night.
Prior to her initial COVID infection, she had no issues with alcohol tolerance and could easily tolerate about seven mixed drinks containing hard liquor in one night. A standard drink contains 14 grams of pure alcohol, with one standard drink equivalents including 5 ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer 21. After COVID infection, however, she reported feeling like she suffers from “alcohol poisoning” after drinking even small amounts of alcohol and feels “terrible” for several days after consumption. Her tolerance has decreased to the point where one beer would result in a severe “hangover,” along with exacerbation of PASC symptoms for three days thereafter. Alcohol sensitivity has been observed in a patient with PASC in a case report 20 but has not been widely studied.