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 case series describes four PASC patients who developed new onset alcohol sensitivities after COVID-19 infection. The patients highlighted in this report, despite varying demographics and health backgrounds, share a new-onset sensitivity to alcohol post-COVID-19 infection, triggering unprecedented symptoms at similar or lower alcohol consumption levels. Some experienced individual symptoms like headaches or a delayed emergence of symptoms resembling a typical “hangover,” while others experienced a general worsening of their PASC symptoms. The alcohol sensitivity that is observed and reported from these patients generates interesting questions and hypotheses.
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Can moderate alcohol consumption boost the immune system?
Although the underlying mechanisms aren’t fully understood, the symptom may be linked to the broader condition of long COVID and share similarities with conditions like myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). “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.
Alcohol’s Impact on Respiratory Symptoms
A compromised gut microbiome can lead to increased intestinal permeability, often referred to as “leaky gut,” allowing toxins and pathogens to enter the bloodstream and provoke systemic inflammation. It’s safe to say an intolerance to alcohol isn’t the worst of COVID or long COVID symptoms, but it can take away the “happy” in happy hour and generally impact your social life (if it revolves around alcohol at all). Many long COVID patients (along with ME/CFS patients) experience issues with their autonomic nervous system, which plays a critical role in how blood vessels constrict and dilate, but researchers don’t yet fully understand why. Making matters worse, alcohol not only contains histamine — it’s a byproduct of the fermentation and brewing process — but it also pushes mast cells to release more of it and then blocks an enzyme called the DAO enzyme from breaking histamine down.
Blood flow issues
When someone has long COVID or ME/CFS, their blood vessels can’t properly respond to signals from the brain to tighten or loosen up. This is why many people with long COVID feel lightheaded or even faint after standing up, as their blood vessels don’t constrict enough, causing blood pressure to drop. It’s a hallmark symptom of POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), which about 2% to 14% of people who test positive for COVID end up developing.
This Long COVID support group is sponsored by COVID Care Group, connecting the dots of long COVID through education, research, & resources for recovery and symptom management. Our clinical team provides FREE educational information helped over 10 million people help themselves in 2024 and we have resources for people that can’t find the care they need elsewhere. Visit find our education & resources at All sales proceeds support community outreach programs. Otherwise, Malcolm suggests drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated and possibly pursuing some blood work to better understand what may be causing your symptoms.
All the extra histamine may explain why some people feel terrible after drinking alcohol post-COVID. Still, experts, particularly those who study or treat people with ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) — a alcohol intolerance covid complex illness that shares many similarities with long COVID — aren’t too shocked to hear about the occurrence. Alcohol intolerance can happen even to those who aren’t experiencing long COVID, may disappear or become less severe with time, and can be triggered by specific types of alcohol but not others. Although inconvenient, not being able to drink alcohol isn’t the most earth-shattering of symptoms compared with more serious effects.
Resources for Seeking Help with Alcohol Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- As the medical community continues to develop treatments for COVID-19, understanding potential interactions between alcohol and these medications is crucial.
- In Alabama, Dr. Jordan Vaughn says he’s seeing patients regularly with lingering issues from COVID.
- Alcohol use habits were elicited, and any changes in drinking behaviors or symptoms following alcohol consumption were noted.
Before she came down with COVID in March 2020, Rebekah Stein was able to enjoy a handful of alcoholic drinks a week. She assumed nothing had changed after her mild infection, so when she saw her husband holding an enticing glass of whiskey one night, she took a tiny sip. However, due to the limited available data on post-COVID-19 alcohol intolerance, it’s unclear whether it’s a temporary or long-term symptom.
- A definitive causal link between PASC and alcohol sensitivity cannot be established based on a limited case series.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for accessible resources for individuals struggling with alcohol use.
- This impairment can hinder the body’s ability to fight off infections, making individuals more susceptible to illnesses.
- In a study on patients diagnosed with ME/CFS, a syndrome that can be triggered by viral infections, two-thirds of patients experience increased alcohol sensitivities leading to a reduction in alcohol intake 8.
Further research is needed to establish a clearer understanding of this phenomenon. 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. While not widely recognized as a symptom of long COVID due to limited research, alcohol intolerance has been reported by some individuals. Long COVID refers to persistent symptoms that occur more than three weeks after the initial COVID-19 infection. In conclusion, understanding the multifaceted relationship between alcohol consumption and health—especially in the context of COVID-19—is essential for making informed decisions during these unprecedented times. By prioritizing health and well-being through moderation and support, individuals can navigate this challenging landscape more effectively.
Alcohol sensitivity has been observed in a patient with PASC in a case report 20 but has not been widely studied. Here, we present a case series of patients reporting alcohol sensitivity following a SARS-CoV-2 infection that were evaluated at the Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS) Clinic at Stanford University. Patients had a history of confirmed COVID-19 infection and persistent post-COVID symptoms that lasted longer than four weeks. Patients 1, 2, and 4’s PASC symptoms persisted since their acute infection, while Patient 3’s PASC symptoms became noticeable two months after their initial COVID-19 infection. PASC symptoms and functional status were assessed during visits through clinical intake forms and a comprehensive medical evaluation during their consultation.
My body can’t tolerate alcohol anymore after getting COVID. I’m not alone
Alcohol can weaken the immune system and may interfere with the body’s ability to fight off the virus. Additionally, many local community organizations have adapted their services to provide virtual support groups and counseling sessions during the pandemic. These resources can be invaluable for individuals looking for guidance on moderating their alcohol intake or seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for accessible resources for individuals struggling with alcohol use.
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Symptoms following alcohol consumption have also been reported in those with Hodgkin’s lymphoma 4, Epstein-Barr infection 5, and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) 6. Patients with post-viral illnesses can experience a myriad of symptoms, such as persistent fatigue, headaches 7, tachycardia/palpitations, sleep disorders, and dyspnea. In a study on patients diagnosed with ME/CFS, a syndrome that can be triggered by viral infections, two-thirds of patients experience increased alcohol sensitivities leading to a reduction in alcohol intake 8. Recent studies have also reported alcohol sensitivity after the onset of their illness in 65-80% of ME/CFS patients 9.
This theory can also help explain why alcohol intolerance may disappear or become less severe over time. As your body clears the virus and begins to recover from the injuries it caused, there’s less chaos triggering your mast cells to release extra histamine. While research on post-COVID alcohol intolerance is still limited, anecdotal evidence suggests that it’s a symptom experienced by many people following the virus. While research on alcohol intolerance post-COVID-19 is limited, numerous anecdotal reports suggest that alcohol intolerance could be a symptom of long COVID for some individuals. There’s growing evidence that it may be a unique symptom of long COVID, particularly the post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS) type.
How a sip of booze could help diagnose a COVID long hauler syndrome
Individuals with a lowered tolerance, also known as acute sensitivity, may experience the effects of intoxication even after consuming relatively small amounts of alcohol. 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. Alcohol reactions and sensitivity are not well characterized in the literature as it relates to post-viral illness. While there have been some anecdotal reports of new alcohol sensitivity in PASC patients in the media, there is a paucity of published data in the medical literature about this topic. During their medical consultation, the patients self-reported new changes in their symptoms or behaviors following the use of alcohol.
Furthermore, engaging in activities that promote social connection without alcohol—such as virtual game nights or outdoor exercise—can provide fulfilling alternatives that do not involve drinking. The virus triggers a complex immune response, and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to an exaggerated inflammatory response known as a cytokine storm. Has anyone else got alcohol intolerance after covid and have you recovered from that weird symptom? I can’t even have a sip hardly without feeling horrible now and I used to drink with no issues before covid. This increased blood flow could also explain the intense body pain some people with long COVID or ME/CFS experience, according to Sarah Annesley, a microbiology senior research fellow at La Trobe University in Australia who studies both conditions. “If you’ve already got a loose hose that isn’t responding to the signal to tighten up and you’re making it looser with alcohol, that’s going to worsen those symptoms,” including fatigue, rapid heartbeat, cognitive impairment, and more, Malcolm said.
This could make the PVN extra sensitive to life’s stresses, causing fatigue and relapses similar to ME/CFS. But after her infection, she found herself unable to tolerate even small amounts of alcohol, experiencing unpleasant sensations like lightheadedness, sluggishness, and queasiness after just a few sips. Alcohol can affect liver metabolism, which is particularly concerning when medications are processed through the liver. Now, some people battling back from COVID, are saying they get sick from just a few sips of alcohol. What Doctor Vaughn says you can do, is document and combine multiple symptoms to come to a diagnosis.