Can not sleeping for 2 days make you sick?
Asked by: Ryder Hirthe PhD | Last update: February 11, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (22 votes)
Yes, not sleeping for 2 days (48 hours) can absolutely make you feel sick, significantly weakening your immune system, disrupting your central nervous system, and causing cognitive/emotional issues like brain fog, mood swings, and even hallucinations, making you much more vulnerable to illness and impairing your ability to function. It triggers inflammation, reduces infection-fighting cells, and increases stress hormones, leading to symptoms like headaches, digestive problems, and increased susceptibility to viruses.
What happens if I don't sleep for 2 days?
Short answer: after two full days (about 48 hours) without sleep you'll experience a predictable cascade of cognitive, emotional, physiological and motor impairments. Most effects are reversible within 24--72 hours of recovery sleep, but performance and safety risks during the sleep deprivation period are substantial.
Why do I feel sick after not sleeping for 2 days?
When you don't get enough sleep, your immune system's cells go into overdrive. They produce proteins known as pro-inflammatory cytokines that increase tissue inflammation throughout the body — including the digestive organs. This triggers uncomfortable symptoms, one of which is nausea.
Can lack of sleep cause flu like symptoms?
Lack of sleep (sleep deprivation) can cause some flu-like symptoms like fatigue and headaches. You may have other symptoms, too, like irritability and trouble focusing. But if you're sleep-deprived and experiencing flu-like symptoms, it's possible you actually have the flu or another infection.
What illnesses can be caused by lack of sleep?
However, chronic poor sleep may increase the likelihood of developing dementia, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and even cancers of the breast, colon, ovaries and prostate. Poor sleep can also affect the ability to function while performing daily tasks like working or driving.
What would happen if you didn’t sleep? - Claudia Aguirre
Should I go to the hospital if I haven't slept in 2 days?
You probably don't need the emergency room for just two days without sleep unless you have severe hallucinations, delusions, or dangerous physical symptoms; instead, contact your primary doctor or visit urgent care for evaluation, as 48 hours causes significant impairment (like microsleeps and confusion) and requires attention, but prolonged lack of sleep needs professional diagnosis for underlying issues like insomnia or other conditions.
What organ is most affected by lack of sleep?
While the brain is the first to show effects, the heart is arguably the organ most significantly harmed by chronic lack of sleep, facing increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke, though the brain, liver, kidneys, and immune system also suffer major impacts. Insufficient sleep impairs cognitive function (focus, memory) and disrupts vital bodily repair processes, leading to inflammation and increased stress hormones that strain multiple organs, creating a vicious cycle of damage.
What is the 3:2:1 rule for sleeping?
The 3-2-1 sleep rule is a simple bedtime guideline: 3 hours before bed, stop eating heavy meals and drinking alcohol; 2 hours before bed, stop working or doing stressful tasks; and 1 hour before bed, turn off electronic devices (phones, TVs, computers) to reduce blue light and wind down. This routine helps digestion, calms the mind, and prepares your body for sleep by reducing stimulants and blue light exposure, aligning with established sleep hygiene practices.
Can you get sick from being overtired?
Yes. Lack of sleep can affect your immune system. Studies show that people who don't get quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus, such as a common cold virus. Lack of sleep also can affect how fast you get better if you do get sick.
How can I tell if it's flu or COVID?
You can't tell if you have COVID-19 or the flu just by symptoms because they overlap significantly (fever, cough, fatigue), so testing is essential for an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment, with combo tests available to check for both viruses simultaneously, which is crucial for preventing severe illness.
Can you throw up from sleep deprivation?
Sleep deprivation increases your risk for health problems (even ones you have never experienced), such as disturbed mood, gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting), headaches and joint pain, blood sugar and insulin system disruption, high blood pressure, seizures, and ...
What are three symptoms of not getting enough sleep?
Three key signs of sleep deprivation are excessive daytime sleepiness/fatigue, difficulty concentrating/impaired memory, and mood changes like irritability or anxiety, often accompanied by physical symptoms like headaches and constant yawning, impacting focus and performance.
How to recover after a night of no sleep?
How to get through the day after a bad night's sleep
- Don't panic.
- Keep your body hydrated.
- You can still drink coffee - but not too much.
- Avoid driving.
- Don't rely on sugar.
- Simplify your day.
- Go outside for a walk.
- Take a power nap.
What is the 123 sleep rule?
The "3-2-1 Sleep Rule" is a simple bedtime routine guideline to improve sleep quality by avoiding common sleep disruptors in the hours before bed: 3 hours before sleep, stop heavy meals and alcohol; 2 hours before, stop mentally stimulating activities like work; and 1 hour before, power down electronic screens to reduce blue light, helping your body and mind wind down for rest.
What are the 7 effects of lack of sleep?
However, sleep deprivation can often make you feel irritable, fatigued, and unlike your usual self. Sleep deprivation increases your risk for mood disorders like depression; it also weakens your immune system, which makes you more susceptible to serious health conditions like heart disease and cancer.
Does lying down still count as sleeping?
It's not. Lying in bed may be nice, it may be relaxing and it may be comfortable. But it's most definitely not sleep.
Can sleep deprivation cause flu like symptoms?
Can Lack of Sleep Cause Flu-Like Symptoms? So, can lack of sleep cause fever and chills, and other symptoms of the flu? The answer is that it might actually just be the flu or a cold. Since lack of sleep can negatively impact your immune system, it's easier for you to get sick from a virus like the common cold.
Can you puke from being overtired?
If this scenario feels familiar, you're not alone. Nausea following a poor night's sleep is real, and it's not just in your head (or your stomach). There's growing evidence linking sleep deprivation to gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, bloating, and appetite changes.
What drinks can help you sleep?
To help you sleep, try warm milk, chamomile or lavender tea, tart cherry juice, or a banana smoothie for their calming properties, melatonin, or tryptophan content, while avoiding caffeine and sugary drinks before bed to prevent disruption. Herbal teas like passionflower and lemon balm also promote relaxation, and warm liquids themselves can be soothing.
Is 10pm to 4am enough sleep?
Sleeping from 10 PM to 4 AM gives you 6 hours of sleep, which is generally not enough for most adults who need 7-9 hours, but whether it's "enough" depends on the individual and sleep quality; if you feel rested and function well, it might be okay, but if you're tired, you likely need more. Some experts suggest 10 PM to midnight is an optimal window for circadian rhythm alignment, but personal needs vary.
Who sleeps for 90% of the day?
The koala is famous for sleeping around 90% of the day, dozing for 18-22 hours due to its low-energy eucalyptus diet, but other animals like sloths, bats, and armadillos also sleep extensively, often around 19-20 hours daily, while some pet owners report their golden retrievers sleep that much too, though it's less common in the wild.
What are signs of poor core sleep?
Signs You're Not Getting Enough Core Sleep
- Morning Fatigue Despite Adequate Sleep Hours.
- Afternoon Energy Crashes.
- Difficulty Concentrating or Brain Fog.
- Mood Swings and Increased Irritability.
- Increased Appetite and Sugar Cravings.
- Frequent Illness and Slow Recovery.
- Physical Tension and Slow Muscle Recovery.
What illnesses can lack of sleep cause?
Sleep deficiency is linked to many chronic health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression. Sleep deficiency is also linked to a higher chance of injury in adults, teens, and children.
Which hormone is responsible for sleeping?
Often referred to as the “sleep hormone,” melatonin is directly responsible for promoting healthy rest and regulating your body's circadian rhythm. Most of your body's hormones are produced in your brain's pituitary gland— melatonin is produced in the pineal gland, which is associated with your sleep-wake cycle.
Can lack of sleep cause a stroke?
But there are more consequences of meager sleep than people realize. Research shows skimping on sleep is linked to numerous health problems, including stroke, obesity and Alzheimer's disease.