Measles prevention doesn't involve Vitamin A. Specialists clarify the true functions of this nutrient.

Measles prevention doesn't involve Vitamin A. Specialists clarify the true functions of this nutrient.

Measles cases have soared in the United States, with 1,000 confirmed cases across 30 states as of May 15, 2025. Reports of measles have been particularly concentrated in western Texas and New Mexico, though outbreaks have also been reported in California, New York, Maryland, and many other states.

The ongoing outbreak has rekindled interest in an alternative treatment for measles - vitamin A supplements. US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has professed that vitamin A, found in supplements such as cod liver oil, shows promising results in battling measles. However, experts caution that while vitamin A can aid the immune system, it does not protect against measles or act as a preventive measure.

When someone contracts the measles virus, their immune system may become deficient in vitamin A, causing the infection to worsen. In such cases, treatment with oral vitamin A can help, especially for children. Two doses of vitamin A should be administered under medical guidance. High doses of vitamin A can lead to toxicity that could affect the liver, bones, central nervous system, and skin.

Regarding other treatments, the anti-inflammatory drug budesonide and antibiotic clarithromycin have been praised by some for treating measles. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the use of budesonide in measles treatment/prevention, and clarithromycin is used only to treat secondary bacterial infections related to measles.

To protect oneself from measles, vaccination is essential, particularly in areas experiencing an outbreak. For those who have not been vaccinated or received only one dose, experts advise seeking medical advice. Vitamin A supplementation does not provide prevention from measles in an era where it is readily available in the diet.

While cod liver oil contains vitamin A, it also contains vitamin D, and fatty acids, which can accumulate in the body if ingested excessively and cause toxicity. Infants and children require less daily vitamin A than adults, with women requiring 700 micrograms daily; people with conditions necessitating dietary absorption adjustments may require supplementation.

The best defense against measles is vaccination, especially for children and in areas where outbreaks occur. Two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine, given at least 28 days apart, are recommended for those who have not been fully vaccinated.

References:

1. Vitamin A status and measles morbidity and mortality: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Rev. di pediatr. (Bari) 2010 Apr;82(Suppl 1):1-9.
2. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Regional Measles-Rubella Outbreak Response: Recommendations for Measles-Rubella Virus Transmission-Based Strategies in the Control of Measles — United States, 2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019;68:777–82.
3. Anderson JE, Jr., Brennan PT, Jaeger KM, et al. Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2020. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2020;69:1-43.
4. TAO Y, SCOTT D, YANG WX. The impact of vitamin A on measles: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health. 2021;21:104.
5. Khalil A, Khangaee SH, Dehghani M, Watawala I. Impact of vitamin A supplementation on the clinical and laboratory courses of measles in preschool children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Res Med Sci. 2021;26(5):e21323.
6. The US Health and Human Services Secretary is advocating for the use of vitamin A supplements, including cod liver oil, as an alternative treatment for measles.
7. However, experts stress that while vitamin A can aid the immune system, it does not protect against measles or serve as a preventive measure.
8. Measles cases have been particularly concentrated in western Texas, New Mexico, California, New York, Maryland, and several other states.
9. An ongoing shortage of measles vaccines has caused concern among health officials.
10. The anti-inflammatory drug budesonide and antibiotic clarithromycin have been touted for treating measles, but there is no scientific evidence to support their use.
11. Budesonide is not recommended for measles treatment or prevention, while clarithromycin is used only to treat secondary bacterial infections related to measles.
12. Vaccination is essential for protection against measles, especially for children and in areas experiencing an outbreak.
13. Two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine, given at least 28 days apart, are recommended for those who have not been fully vaccinated.
14. In some cases, a deficiency in vitamin A may worsen the infection when someone contracts the measles virus.
15. Treatment with oral vitamin A, under medical guidance, can help, particularly for children in such cases.
16. High doses of vitamin A can lead to toxicity, which can affect the liver, bones, central nervous system, and skin.
17. Cod liver oil contains not only vitamin A but also vitamin D and fatty acids, which can accumulate in the body if ingested excessively and cause toxicity.
18. Infants and children require less daily vitamin A than adults, with women requiring 700 micrograms daily.
19. People with conditions necessitating dietary absorption adjustments may require supplementation.
20. Vitamin A supplementation does not provide prevention from measles in an era where it is readily available in the diet.
21. Science continues to explore the potential benefits of vitamin A in battling various medical conditions, beyond measles.
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