Measles prevention not guaranteed by Vitamin A. Experts reveal its actual functions.
In the recent U.S. situation, an unpleasant truth haunts the country: an unprecedented measles outbreak has expanded to more than 30 states, resulting in over 1,000 cases and three confirmed deaths (as of May 15, 2025). Most notably, western Texas and New Mexico are seeing a significant concentration of cases. However, Measles also surfaces in other states such as California, Maryland, and New York. Health authorities warning travelers to exercise caution.
Historically, measles has been successfully controlled as an infectious disease apart from the occasional resurgence. U.S. faced two major measles outbreaks in the past couple of decades: the 2000 outbreak in Philadelphia and the 2005 outbreak in Indiana, both incited by undervaccination.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, recently expressed enthusiasm about vitamin A, found in some supplements like cod liver oil, along with the steroid budesonide and the antibiotic clarithromycin, stating they demonstrated "good results" in aiding measles recovery. Despite the CDC acknowledging Vitamin A as a potential optional treatment, vaccination is still encouraged as the most effective measure against measles infection.
To better understand the role of vitamin A and other supplements during measles and effective preventative strategies, Medical News Today spoke with three experts: Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist with 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 supplements prevent or treat measles?
Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin that enhances vision and the immune system, can be found in foods like eggs, cheese, fish, milk, and orange and green vegetables. When it comes to measles, Fisher, Ganjian, and Gandhi all agree that vitamin A offers no preventative benefits but may worsen symptoms if someone catches the measles virus while experiencing a Vitamin A deficiency.
What about budesonide and clarithromycin?
Kennedy Jr.'s endorsement of budesonide and clarithromycin for treating measles has sparked debate among experts. However, Ganijan points out that there is no evidence to support budesonide as a standard treatment for measles. The use of steroids should be restricted to cases where they are clinically necessary. Clarithromycin, in essence, is not recommended for treating measles. It is suggested for addressing confirmed secondary bacterial infections, not for routine or preventative use in managing the virus.
Protecting Yourself Against Measles
The CDC suggests people who develop a measles rash isolate themselves from others for four days to prevent the spread of the disease.
Vitamin A is useful when a patient already has measles, but it is not a preventive measure. Therefore, there is no indication in this era, where we have sufficient Vitamin A in our diets, to take Vitamin A for preventing measles, Gandhi said.
It is essential to emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective prevention against measles. If you haven't been vaccinated or are uncertain about your vaccination status, consult with your doctor.
- In the midst of the measles outbreak in more than 30 U.S. states, the health authorities are warning travelers to exercise caution.
- The CDC acknowledges that Vitamin A could potentially be an optional treatment for measles, but it does not recommend taking it for preventing the disease.
- Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist, has stated that while Vitamin A can be beneficial when someone already has measles, it offers no preventative benefits.
- Daniel Ganjian, a pediatrician, points out that there is no evidence to support the use of the steroid budesonide as a standard treatment for measles.
- Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, has expressed enthusiasm about the use of cod liver oil, which contains Vitamin A, along with the steroid budesonide and the antibiotic clarithromycin, for treating measles.
- Clarithromycin is not recommended for treating measles, but for addressing confirmed secondary bacterial infections instead.
- Beauty and skincare products containing retinol, a form of Vitamin A, might not directly prevent or treat measles, but proper nutrition and general health-and-wellness practices can contribute to a healthier immune system.
- Sports, politics, and general news have taken a backseat amidst the concern over chronic diseases like measles and the focus on mental-health, nutrition, food-and-food-benefits, and health-and-wellness.
