Does drinking alcohol lower your immune system? ?

Question

Twice lately I have had a night out, suffered from a hangover the next day and then suffered flu like symptoms, shivering, sweating, sore throat, blocked nose and generally feeling miserable for the following week. Could this be from the alcohol or could it be something more serious? I also have polysystic ovarian syndrome (pcos) could this be a factor?

Answer 1

You were probably infected with something before you ever went drinking.  There is an incubation period on colds, the flu and most other illnesses.  If you were around an infected person, they could possibly infect you, but you would not develop the cold or what ever, for a few days to 10 days.  Yes, if you drink all of the time, it can lower your resistance to germs and virus.  I doubt if your pcos had anything to do with it.....

Answer 2

Yes, alcohol is a depressant and can affect your immune system. I would think with your hormonal factors it wouldn't do you any favors there either. Alcohol has been clearly shown to affect hormones, especially in women. If I were you I would avoid it all together! 1 night of fun isn't worth a week's misery!