Many people who experience a hangover report a sensation of feeling feverish. While this feeling of warmth, chills, or general malaise is a common aspect of a hangover, it typically does not indicate a true clinical fever. The body undergoes various physiological changes after alcohol consumption that can mimic fever symptoms without a significant elevation in core body temperature. Understanding these underlying processes can help differentiate between a hangover’s discomfort and a more serious condition.
What Causes a Hangover Sensation?
Alcohol triggers physiological responses that contribute to feeling unwell during a hangover. One significant factor is dehydration, as alcohol acts as a diuretic, increasing urine production and leading to fluid loss. This fluid depletion can result in symptoms such as thirst, fatigue, and headaches. Alcohol metabolism produces acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct that can cause a rapid pulse, sweating, and nausea. The body’s immune system recognizes acetaldehyde as harmful, initiating an inflammatory response that can contribute to muscle aches and a generalized unwell feeling.
Alcohol consumption affects the vascular system, causing vasodilation, which is the widening of blood vessels. This increased blood flow to the skin can create a sensation of warmth or flushed skin, even as the body’s core temperature might be decreasing. Alcohol irritates the lining of the stomach and intestines, leading to inflammation known as gastritis. This irritation can manifest as stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting, contributing to the overall discomfort experienced during a hangover.
Is It a True Fever?
While hangovers can induce feelings of warmth, chills, and sweating, these sensations do not correspond to a true fever. A fever is medically defined as a body temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. Despite feeling hot, alcohol consumption can actually lower the body’s internal core temperature, even though the skin may feel warm due to vasodilation.
The body’s thermoregulation is affected by alcohol, influencing the mechanisms that warm or cool the body. The heat generated during alcohol metabolism and the increased blood flow to the skin through vasodilation create a sensation of warmth. This process leads to increased heat loss from the body’s core, causing a drop in internal temperature. Therefore, if a true elevated body temperature is present during a hangover, it suggests an underlying infection or illness rather than being a direct result of the hangover itself.
When the Feeling Might Be More Serious
While hangover symptoms are generally temporary, certain signs can indicate a more serious condition like alcohol poisoning, which requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms that warrant concern include severe confusion or disorientation, and an inability to wake up or stay conscious. Irregular or slow breathing, characterized by fewer than eight breaths per minute or gaps of more than 10 seconds between breaths, is also a warning sign.
Other serious indicators include seizures, pale or bluish-tinged skin, or a significantly low body temperature (hypothermia), felt as clammy skin. Persistent and severe vomiting, especially if the person is unconscious and at risk of choking, is another urgent symptom. If any of these severe symptoms are present, seek emergency medical care immediately, as they can lead to brain damage, coma, or even death if untreated.
What to Do for Relief
Managing hangover discomfort, including fever-like sensations, involves supportive care. Rehydration is a primary step, and drinking water or electrolyte-rich fluids like sports drinks or Pedialyte can help replenish lost fluids and minerals. Resting adequately allows the body time to recover and process the remaining alcohol byproducts.
Consuming bland foods such as toast or crackers can help stabilize blood sugar levels and settle an upset stomach. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or aspirin can alleviate headaches and muscle aches, but use them cautiously as they can irritate the stomach lining. Avoid acetaminophen while alcohol is still in your system, as this combination can be toxic to the liver. Consuming more alcohol, often called “hair of the dog,” will only prolong recovery and should be avoided.