Measles prevention doesn't involve Vitamin A. Experts clarify the actual function of this nutrient.
Let's dive into the debate surrounding vitamin A supplements, budesonide, and clarithromycin, and their efficacy in preventing or treating measles.
In the U.S., a significant measles outbreak has erupted, affecting folks across 30 states, with unfortunate fatalities. Western Texas and New Mexico have witnessed a surge of cases.
Against this backdrop, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, has suggested vitamin A supplements, such as cod liver oil, as well as the steroid budesonide and the antibiotic clarithromycin, as potential aids in addressing measles. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still advocates for vaccination as the strongest protection.
To shed light on this, Medical News Today consulted three experts – an infectious disease specialist and two pediatricians – on the effectiveness of these alternatives and ways to prevent the disease.
Can vitamin A prevent or treat measles?
Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist with the University of California, San Francisco, Danelle Fisher, and Daniel Ganjian, both board-certified pediatricians at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, shared their insights.
"Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin crucial for vision and immune system functioning. It's found in foods like eggs, cheese, fish, milk, and orange and green vegetables," Fisher noted.
All three experts agreed that while vitamin A helps the immune system, it does not prevent infectious diseases like measles. Instead, measles can cause vitamin A deficiency, exacerbating symptoms. Treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can be helpful in these cases.
"When someone has the measles virus, their body can suffer a vitamin A deficiency," Fisher explains, with Ganijan emphasizing that vitamin A supplementation is considered "supportive care" in the context of measles.
What about budesonide and clarithromycin?
Since Kennedy Jr.'s comments praising budesonide and clarithromycin, experts have expressed concern about advocating these unproven benefits for measles treatment.
Ganjian clarified that there's no evidence supporting budesonide as a standard treatment for measles, and its use shouldn't be considered routine care.
Clarithromycin, an antibiotic, is not recommended for measles as it's reserved for treating confirmed bacterial infections, not viral infections.
Protecting against measles
Measles patients are contagious from the rash's appearance, and the CDC suggests isolation for 4 days. Experts agree that the best preventative measure is vaccination, particularly in areas witnessing an outbreak.
Gandhi emphasizes that vitamin A is used when a patient already has measles and is not a preventive measure.
"The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated, especially if you're in an area where the outbreak is happening. Children, who are more susceptible to severe cases of measles, also need vaccination," she adds.
Safeguarding yourself against vitamin A overdose is equally important as consuming it in high amounts can lead to negative health implications like liver damage.
Ensuring you don't consume too much vitamin A can prevent such issues. Remember, most people can get their daily recommended amount from their diets. Only certain populations, such as premature infants and those with diseases like celiac disease or Crohn's disease, might require supplements.
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