Is it okay to drink with the flu?

December 4, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drinking too much alcohol can weaken your immune system and make your body a much easier target for disease. When it comes to influenza, asking 'is it okay to drink with the flu?' reveals the same potential negative consequences that can prolong your illness and intensify symptoms.

Quick Summary

This article explores the detrimental effects of drinking alcohol while suffering from the flu, detailing how it leads to increased dehydration, worsens symptoms like fatigue, and suppresses the immune system's ability to fight infection. It also covers the dangerous interactions with common flu medications.

Key Points

Avoid Alcohol Completely: Drinking alcohol during the flu worsens symptoms and prolongs recovery by actively working against your body's healing process.
Intensified Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic that speeds up fluid loss, exacerbating dehydration caused by fever and sweating.
Suppressed Immune System: Even moderate alcohol intake can weaken your immune response, making it harder for your body to fight the virus and increasing susceptibility to secondary infections.
Dangerous Medication Interactions: Many common flu medications like acetaminophen and NSAIDs have dangerous interactions with alcohol, increasing risks of liver damage or stomach bleeding.
Prioritize Hydration: Focus on non-alcoholic fluids like water, herbal tea, and broth to thin mucus and support your immune system for a faster recovery.
Rest is Essential: Good rest and sleep allow your immune system to function optimally and should not be compromised by alcohol.
The 'Hot Toddy' Myth: The idea that a hot toddy is a good remedy is false; while it may offer a temporary sedative effect, it ultimately hinders recovery.
Safe Medication Use: Always read warning labels on medications and consult a professional about potential interactions with alcohol.
Save the Drinks: The safest and most effective strategy is to save alcoholic drinks until you are completely recovered and feeling well again.

The Detrimental Effects of Alcohol During the Flu

When you are sick with the flu, your body is working overtime to fight the influenza virus. Introducing alcohol into your system during this critical time can actively work against your body's recovery process. The effects of alcohol go beyond simply making you feel worse temporarily; they can significantly prolong your illness and increase the risk of complications.

Alcohol and Dehydration: A Dangerous Combination

One of the most significant issues with drinking alcohol during the flu is its dehydrating effect. The flu often causes fever, sweating, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea, all of which contribute to fluid loss. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urination and further speeds up the process of dehydration.

Dehydration can have several negative consequences when you have the flu:

It thickens mucus, making congestion worse and harder to clear.
It puts strain on your vital organs, especially the kidneys.
It intensifies existing symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches.
It interferes with your body's ability to regulate its temperature, which is already an issue with a fever.

How Alcohol Weakens Your Immune Response

Your immune system is your primary defense against the flu virus. Alcohol, particularly when consumed in heavy amounts, directly suppresses this response. It can reduce the production of white blood cells, which are essential for fighting off infections.

Even a single night of binge drinking can suppress your immune system for up to 24 hours, making you more vulnerable to pathogens. When you are already battling an active influenza virus, this suppression can have serious consequences. It can delay your recovery and make you more susceptible to secondary infections, such as bacterial pneumonia.

The Risks of Mixing Alcohol and Flu Medications

Many over-the-counter and prescription flu medications can have dangerous interactions with alcohol. It is crucial to always read the warning labels and, if in doubt, consult a pharmacist or doctor.

Here are some common medications and their potential interactions:

Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Both alcohol and acetaminophen are processed by the liver. Combining them, especially in high doses, can significantly increase the risk of severe liver damage.
NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen): When mixed with alcohol, NSAIDs can increase the risk of stomach bleeding and ulcers.
Antihistamines: Drowsiness and dizziness are common side effects of many antihistamines. Alcohol intensifies these effects, leading to impaired coordination and increasing the risk of falls or accidents.
Cough Syrups: Many liquid cold medicines contain alcohol. Taking these alongside other alcoholic beverages can raise your blood alcohol levels to dangerous concentrations and increase side effects.

Alcohol vs. Hydration for Flu Recovery

The myth that alcohol, like a 'hot toddy,' can cure a cold or flu is a persistent one, but it is medically unfounded. Instead, focusing on proper hydration is the most effective strategy.


Feature	Drinking Alcohol	Prioritizing Hydration
Effect on the Body	Dehydrates the system, making symptoms worse.	Replenishes lost fluids, thins mucus, and supports immune function.
Immune System Impact	Suppresses white blood cell production and function.	Keeps immune cells functioning optimally for fighting infection.
Symptom Relief	Offers temporary, sedative-like relief that can rebound and worsen symptoms.	Provides sustained relief from dryness, congestion, and headaches.
Medication Safety	Poses dangerous interactions, including liver damage and increased drowsiness.	Safe and complementary to most flu medications.

The Safest and Fastest Path to Recovery

For a faster and safer recovery, it is best to avoid alcohol entirely when you have the flu. Your body needs all its resources to fight the virus, and drinking can hinder this process. Instead of a hot toddy, opt for soothing, non-alcoholic beverages like herbal tea with honey and lemon, clear broth, or electrolyte-rich drinks. These options will hydrate you and can provide genuine symptom relief without the added health risks.

Remember, your priority should be to let your body heal. Good hydration, plenty of rest, and proper nutrition are the pillars of a speedy recovery. Save the celebratory drinks for when you are fully recovered and can enjoy them without jeopardizing your health.

Conclusion

In conclusion, drinking alcohol with the flu is never a good idea. It actively works against your body's natural recovery process by causing dehydration, weakening your immune system, and posing risks when combined with medication. While it may offer a fleeting sense of warmth or relief, the overall effect is an intensification of symptoms and a prolonged illness. The best strategy is to focus on non-alcoholic hydration, rest, and patience to allow your body to heal effectively and return to full health.

Sources

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Alcohol's Effects on the Body. Available at: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohols-effects-body. Accessed October 10, 2025. bodyandsoul.com.au. Ask a GP: Is it okay to drink alcohol if you have the cold or flu?. Available at: https://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/health/health-news/ask-a-gp-is-it-okay-to-drink-alcohol-if-you-have-the-cold-or-flu/news-story/4a2ed6ba45efab60ec2688dbcce909dc. Accessed October 10, 2025. GoodRx. Can You Drink Alcohol After a Flu Shot, or While Taking Flu Meds?. Available at: https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/flu/alcohol-flu-shot-tamiflu-xofluza. Accessed October 10, 2025. WebMD. 10 Home Remedies for Flu Symptoms. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/treating-flu-at-home. Accessed October 10, 2025. Live Oaks Wellness. Can You Get A Fever After Drinking Alcohol?. Available at: https://liveoakswellness.com/can-you-get-a-fever-after-drinking-alcohol/. Accessed October 10, 2025. Monument. How Alcohol Impacts the Immune System: What to Know During Cold, Flu, and COVID Season. Available at: https://joinmonument.com/resources/alcohol-and-immunity/. Accessed October 10, 2025. Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA). Alcohol and the Immune System. Available at: https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2020-05/CCSA-COVID-19-Alcohol-Immune-System-Infographic-2020-en.pdf. Accessed October 10, 2025. alcohol.org. Mixing Cold Medicine and Alcohol | Can You Drink on DayQuil?. Available at: https://alcohol.org/mixing-with/allergy-cold-flu-medications/. Accessed October 10, 2025. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Harmful Interactions: Mixing Alcohol with Medicines. Available at: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/harmful-interactions-mixing-alcohol-with-medicines. Accessed October 10, 2025. SingleCare. Is it safe to drink alcohol with cold and flu medication?. Available at: https://www.singlecare.com/blog/flu-cold-medicine-and-alcohol/. Accessed October 10, 2025. Quora. What happens if I drink alcohol when I have a cold (just shots, nothing cold). Available at: https://www.quora.com/What-happens-if-I-drink-alcohol-when-I-have-a-cold-just-shots-nothing-cold. Accessed October 10, 2025. UnityPoint Health. Food and Drink to Help You Fight the Flu. Available at: https://www.unitypoint.org/news-and-articles/food-and-drink-to-help-you-fight-the-flu. Accessed October 10, 2025. Mayo Clinic. Influenza (flu) - Diagnosis and treatment. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351725. Accessed October 10, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the claim that a hot toddy is an effective flu remedy is a myth. While the warm liquid might feel soothing temporarily, the alcohol dehydrates you and suppresses your immune system, ultimately hindering your recovery.

Yes. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urination and causes fluid loss. When you have a fever from the flu, your body is already losing fluids, so drinking alcohol further exacerbates dehydration and can worsen symptoms.

Mixing alcohol with flu medication is dangerous. It can intensify side effects like drowsiness, increase the risk of liver damage (with acetaminophen), and cause stomach bleeding (with NSAIDs). It is crucial to read labels and avoid the combination.

Yes, heavy alcohol consumption can suppress your immune system, which is counterproductive when your body is trying to fight off the flu virus. This can prolong your illness and increase your risk of secondary infections.

The best alternatives are hydrating, non-alcoholic fluids. Water, herbal teas with honey and lemon, and clear broths are excellent choices to help replenish fluids and soothe symptoms without the negative effects of alcohol.

Even a small amount of alcohol is unhelpful and potentially harmful. While less risky than binge drinking, it still contributes to dehydration and does not aid in recovery. It is best to avoid alcohol entirely to allow your body to heal most efficiently.

No, this is a dangerous misconception. The alcohol in your stomach will not kill the influenza virus in your lungs or bloodstream. The concentration of alcohol required to kill the virus internally would be lethal to you as well.

Drinking with the flu makes you feel worse because alcohol and the flu share similar side effects, such as fatigue and headaches. Combining them intensifies these effects, and the dehydrating nature of alcohol adds to the discomfort.

The safest approach is to wait until you are fully recovered and have finished all medications. Your body needs time to fully regain its strength, and reintroducing alcohol too soon can set back your recovery.

Yes, alcohol can irritate the stomach and digestive system, which can make flu-related nausea and vomiting significantly worse and perpetuate the cycle of dehydration.