Binge drinking ups infection risks

LONDON. Going on a drinking binge could leave you wide open to infections, as well as hangovers, work suggests. Drinking copious amounts of alcohol in one session scuppers the immune system by knocking out proteins essential for fighting off bacteria and viruses. Mice given drinking water laced with ethanol were unable to make key pro-inflammatory cytokines. They help avoid harmful inflammation, but can also reduce resistance to infection.