It is believed that treating viruses and colds with alcohol has a beneficial effect on the body. However, alcohol use during illness and weakened immune system is recommended only in the early stages of the disease. In this article, we'll tell you how the body works during an illness, and also look at how alcohol cures the common cold.
Alcohol and the flu
Experts agree that colds and alcohol are not related in any way. During the course of a viral illness (ARVI), the bacteria that cause the disease spread throughout the body. First of all, they affect the mucous membranes of the mouth and nasal cavity. As a result, symptoms of ARVI occur:
- snivel;
- cough;
- Increased temperature;
- sore throat.
Alcohol for colds cannot kill bacteria. When drinking small amounts of wine or spirits, irritation of the mucous membranes occurs, swelling occurs, and the patient's condition sometimes worsens.
For information! A small dose of any alcoholic beverage can disrupt the function of the pancreas, thereby inhibiting the production and repair of new cells in the tissue. Experts do not recommend drinking alcohol for colds, because ethanol products do not kill bacteria.
It is not recommended to drink vodka at high body temperature, during the illness, the body will be intoxicated, and drinking alcohol can greatly increase and harm people. If you have an acute respiratory infection, you decide to treat a cold with alcohol, the body's protective function will slow down the production of interferon and possibly raise the body temperature. This process will increase significantly in time and in the fight against the virus.
How to treat viral infections with alcohol?
The main function that alcohol performs is sterilization. For acute cases of sore throat, you should take a few sips of a strong alcoholic beverage. Ethanol products will help neutralize viruses, as well as prevent pathogenic bacteria from entering the bronchi and lungs. However, you should drink alcohol for colds carefully, otherwise you may get drunk.
For information! Hot wine or a glass of vodka can prevent illness, but not cure it. This is because spirits change the acid-base balance and increase acidity levels.
But is it okay to drink vodka with a sore throat? It is known that tonsillitis, also known as tonsillitis, is an acute inflammatory condition of the tonsils that occurs along with the flu, its complications, sinusitis and diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Drinking alcoholic beverages to treat angina can raise your temperature and dehydrate your body, so don't drink alcohol when you have tonsillitis. It is possible to effectively treat a cold with ethanol products when the following symptoms are present:
- sore throat;
- weakness, coma, aches and pains;
- chills.
With such complex symptoms, it is enough to drink a cup of hot tea with 60 ml of wine or other strong drink. Wine steeped with the addition of herbs, spices and honey can also have a positive effect on the general condition of the patient.
Angina and alcohol
Angina can drink alcohol? Experts say angina and alcohol are incompatible. Strong drinks (40 degrees) have an adverse effect on inflamed nasopharyngeal mucosa and irritated tonsils. Usually, when having angina, the pathogenic microflora is disturbed, affected by staphylococci and streptococci. When a sick person falls ill, the body's resistance decreases, disease-causing bacteria grow and affect healthy tissues. Therefore, from a medical point of view, alcohol cannot kill a sore throat, but can only eliminate the initial symptoms of the disease caused by a virus.
Important! With acute angina, the use of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited.
Preventive action
It is possible to achieve results in the fight against ARVI with the help of alcohol only at the initial stages of the disease (hypothermia, appearance of a runny nose, feeling of suffocation in the throat and nasal cavity). A small dose of alcohol after hypothermia will have a beneficial effect on the body and neutralize pathogenic bacteria. If a person drinks alcohol and is outside in low temperatures for a while, their heat transfer will decrease dramatically and potentially even over-cooling.
For information! Research has shown that as little as 50 ml of a strong drink can have a beneficial effect in fighting colds.
The main thing in the treatment of flu is not to increase the dose of alcohol, if you drink more than necessary, the immune system decreases, the function of all organs and systems is impaired. If the patient is an alcoholic, treatment with this method is not possible.
It is recommended to proceed with the treatment of acute viral diseases complicated with observance of mandatory bed rest. Drinking when you have a cold can only infect the patient's lungs and bronchi.