Measles isn't halted by Vitamin A consumption. Medical professionals shed light on the actual functions of this vitamin.
Revised Article:
- Measles outbreak in the US: What you need to know (Updated 2025)
- Rumors surrounding vitamin A supplements for measles treatment stir debate
- Experts weigh in on combat tactics against measles
The United States is currently grappling with a significant resurgence of measles, with over 1,000 cases confirmed across 30 states as of May 15, 2025. Three confirmed deaths have been reported, with outbreaks primarily concentrated in western Texas and New Mexico, along with sporadic cases in California, New York, Maryland, and other states.
Measles, once a well-controlled infection, has experienced a few large surges in the past, including the 2005 Indiana outbreak. Both events were fueled by undervaccination.
Recent remarks by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, have called attention to vitamin A supplements as potential treatment options for measles. Even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledges the potential use of vitamin A in measles treatment, the agency continues to advocate for vaccination as the primary defense.
To shed light on the situation, Medical News Today consulted with three experts: Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco; Daniel Ganjian, a board-certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA; and Danelle Fisher, another board-certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.
Can vitamin A prevent or treat measles?
Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin found in foods like eggs, cheese, fish, milk, and orange and green vegetables, plays a crucial role in maintaining vision and immune functions. However, the experts agreed that there's no evidence suggesting vitamin A can function as a preventive measure for measles.
Although vitamin A helps the immune system, it offers no protection against infectious diseases like measles. While vitamin A treatment can be beneficial for people infected with the measles virus due to their reduced levels of the vitamin, it shouldn't be relied upon as a primary defense.
Gandhi pointed out that severe vitamin A deficiency has previously led to more severe measles outcomes, and a Cochrane review showed that providing two doses of vitamin A is helpful for children (under two years old) suffering from severe measles. The World Health Organization also recommends using vitamin A in adults and children with measles.
What about budesonide and clarithromycin?
Following Kennedy Jr.'s praise for budesonide and clarithromycin, some experts have expressed concern about endorsing unproven benefits for these medications in treating the measles virus, a viral infection.
Ganjian stated that there's no evidence to support the use of budesonide as a standard treatment for measles, and there's no clear indication for its routine use in measles management. He added that further research may be needed to clarify its role, if any, in treatment.
Ganjian also emphasized that antibiotics, including clarithromycin, should only be used when there's clinical evidence of a secondary bacterial infection, such as pneumonia or otitis media, rather than as routine or prophylactic therapy for measles.
Protecting yourself against measles
The contagious period for measles begins when the rash appears, prompting the CDC to recommend that infected individuals isolate themselves for four days.
"Patients with measles should remain in isolation for a period of four days before the rash appears, as well as four days after the rash appears, to prevent transmission," Ganijan explained.
Protection against measles lies predominantly in vaccination. Although vitamin A is beneficial for people who already have measles, it's not a viable preventive measure.
"[V]itamin A is not a preventive measure against measles. The only effective solution remains vaccination, especially in areas where outbreaks are taking place (e.g., western Texas, New Mexico)," Gandhi noted. It's also crucial to ensure that children in these areas get vaccinated as well.
Vitamin A, cod liver oil, and supplements
Gandhi pointed out that cod liver oil contains vitamin A, vitamin D, and fatty acids, making it a more complex supplement compared to pure vitamin A supplements. While most people can meet their daily vitamin A requirements through their diets, some may need supplements to ensure they get the necessary doses.
Exceeding the recommended daily level of vitamin A can lead to toxicity, causing issues such as skin damage, bone fragility, headaches, liver damage, and other symptoms. Therefore, it's essential for individuals taking vitamin A supplements to be mindful of their daily intake.
In resource-rich countries like the United States, most people can consume the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A through their diets. Only specific populations, like preterm infants or people with digestive disorders, may require supplements to meet their daily vitamin A requirements.
- In addition to foods like fish and eggs, vitamin A is found in supplements, cod liver oil, and various conditions supplements, which play a crucial role in preserving vision and immune functions.
- Despite the potential benefits of vitamin A for people infected with measles due to vitamin deficiency, the experts concur that it should not replace vaccination as the primary defense against measles.
- Science has yet to provide evidence supporting the use of budesonide or clarithromycin as standard treatments for measles, raising concerns among experts about endorsing unproven benefits for these medications.
- To combat measles, mental health, health and wellness, and nutrition all play essential roles, as maintaining a strong immune system can help prevent outbreaks of chronic diseases, such as measles.
- In the United States, where resources are abundant, most people can satisfy their daily vitamin A requirements through their diets, with only specific populations, like preterm infants or those with digestive disorders, requiring supplements to meet their nutritional needs.
- Changes in oil and food consumption patterns have led to an increased demand for certain health-related supplements, as people seek to fortify their diets and support their overall well-being, particularly in the context of medical-conditions and chronic diseases prevalence.
