Measles is not preventable with Vitamin A. Specialists clarify the true functions of this vitamin.
Loosened Leash on Measles: Unpacking Vitamin A, Budesonide, Clarithromycin, and More
Measles cases have surged in the United States, spreading across 30 states as of May 15, 2025. With over 1,000 confirmed cases and three confirmed deaths, the outbreak has sparked a flurry of interest in alternative treatments, particularly vitamin A supplements.
The recent comments from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have communities murmuring about vitamin A, found in supplements such as cod liver oil, and other treatments like the steroid budesonide and the antibiotic clarithromycin for treating or preventing measles. It's crucial to separate fact from fiction in the midst of uncertainty.
Here's what you need to know about vitamin A supplements, budesonide, clarithromycin, and what you can do to protect yourself and your community.
Can vitamin A prevent or treat measles?
Holistically, vitamin A is essential for a well-functioning immune system and proper vision. Found in many common foods like eggs, cheese, fish, milk, and orange and green vegetables, vitamin A is liken to a supercharged insurance policy for optimal health.
Despite its benefits, vitamin A supplements fall short of offering protection against measles as a preventive measure. However, the disease itself can weak your immune system and create a vitamin A deficiency, exacerbating symptoms. In this situation, treatment with two oral doses of vitamin A can reduce complications such as eye damage.
Infectious disease specialist Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, and pediatricians Daniel Ganjian, MD, FAAP, and Danelle Fisher, MD, FAAP, all confirmed that vitamin A is not a protective measure against measles. Instead, it plays a role in recovery for those who contract the virus.
What about budesonide and clarithromycin?
After Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly praised budesonide and clarithromycin, concerns over the unproven benefits of these medications for measles treatment have risen.
Budesonide, a steroid typically used for asthma and COPD, lacks a clear role in measles management, according to experts. Although a recent retrospective cohort study found no evidence of harm from steroid use in measles cases, further research is needed to determine its potential benefits, if any.
Clarithromycin, an antibiotic, is not typically used in treating measles due to its focus on bacterial infections. Using these medications as a routine treatment for measles is not recommended and may cause unnecessary complications.
How to protect yourself against measles
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that those with a measles rash isolate from others for 4 days to prevent transmission.
In terms of prevention, the only effective method is vaccination, especially for those living in affected areas such as western Texas and New Mexico. Children should receive their first dose at ages 12-15 months and the second at ages 4-6, while older children, teens, and adults who are not vaccinated should receive one to two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine, with each dose spaced at least 28 days apart.
If unsure of one's vaccination history, speaking with your doctor is strongly advised.
Vitamin A and cod liver oil: What to know
Due to its numerous health benefits, cod liver oil contains high amounts of vitamin A, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids. Despite being a rich source of vitamin A, cod liver oil is not specifically recommended for treating or preventing measles.
Although most individuals can meet their daily vitamin A requirements through their diet, certain populations, such as premature infants, people with diseases that could interfere with dietary absorption (like celiac disease or Crohn's disease), or those with vitamin A deficiencies, may require supplementation.
Remember, while vitamin A supplementation has a role in the recovery of those with measles, it is not a preventive measure. To ensure you're getting the right dosage of vitamin A, consult with your doctor before taking supplements.
In conclusion, vitamin A supplements, cod liver oil, budesonide, and clarithromycin all play specific roles in health, but they are not diagnoses, treatments, or preventive measures for measles. If you're concerned about measles or find yourself in an affected area, seek medical advice and ensure you and your family are up to date on vaccinations.
- Vitamin A, found in foods such as fish, milk, and orange and green vegetables, is essential for a well-functioning immune system and proper vision, acting like a supercharged insurance policy for optimal health.
- Despite its benefits, vitamin A supplements do not offer protection against measles as a preventive measure, but treatment with two oral doses of vitamin A can reduce complications such as eye damage if a person already has the virus.
- Budesonide, a steroid typically used for asthma and COPD, and clarithromycin, an antibiotic, are not recommended for treating or preventing measles, and using these medications for measles is not recommended as it may cause unnecessary complications.
- The only effective method for preventing measles is vaccination, recommended especially for those living in affected areas such as western Texas and New Mexico, with children receiving their first dose at ages 12-15 months and the second at ages 4-6, and older children, teens, and adults who are not vaccinated should receive one to two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine.
