Alcohol may put people at increased risk of coronavirus: WHO

The World Health Organization has warned that alcohol consumption beyond the specified limits may put people at heightened risk of contracting the coronavirus disease, as it can lead to pneumonia and also reduces resistivity.

Hyderabad: As soon as the lockdown norms eased off and permission was given to open wine shops across the country, there were long and serpentine queues in front of the stores. The situation was so bad in many places that cops had to plunge into action to control the mad rush.

However, the consumption of alcohol is not recommended, especially at a time when COVID-19 is dangerously spreading across the country.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns against drinking habits, as liquor consumers are at a heightened risk of both contracting the disease, and even spreading it. An alcoholic, in an inebriated condition, may easily spread the virus into the society due to his behaviour.

Consuming more liquor than the specified limit can lead to pneumonia in human beings as it reduces resistivity. A study in 2015 proved the above and it was published in the journal 'Alcohol Research'.

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It also suggested that the natural immune system in the body to fight infections reduces with an increase in the percentage of alcohol in blood.

The study further sheds light upon the violence-related dangers, suggesting that more liquor consumption will lead to domestic violence within families, which in turn, will lead to more difficulties in the society. In such incidents both women and children are more likely to face the danger of getting injured.

It also stated that such incidents may lead to spontaneous deaths.

Meanwhile, the WHO has included alcohol incidents in February this year in its priority list. It said that it will encourage control of liquor sales across the world, asking governments to take necessary measures to check both liquor sales and the virus spread.

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