Vitamin A doesn't safeguard against measles. Health experts clarify its real functions.
Let's Talk Measles and Vitamin A
Lately, the U.S. is facing a resurgence of measles cases, with more than a thousand infected individuals across 30 states. Three experts, including an infectious disease specialist and two pediatricians, share their insights on vitamin A supplements, preventive measures, and potential treatments for measles.
Measles cases have drastically increased, mainly in western Texas and New Mexico, but also in California, New York, and Maryland. The CDC urges travelers to stay vigilant. Historically, measles has been a well-controlled infectious disease except for a few outbreaks, like the ones in 2005 in Indiana, all driven by undervaccination.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, has suggested that vitamin A supplements, cod liver oil, the steroid budesonide, and the antibiotic clarithromycin can be effective in treating or preventing measles. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still advocates for vaccination as the primary measure against the disease.
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that supports the immune system and vision, found in common foods like eggs, cheese, and orange and green vegetables. While it's crucial for immune function, vitamin A does not offer protection against infections like measles. However, during the course of the disease, the body may develop a vitamin A deficiency, making symptoms more severe. In this case, treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can be beneficial.
The experts caution against using budesonide or clarithromycin for routine measles management, as there is no clear evidence supporting their unproven benefits. Information on these medications should serve as a starting point for further research.
The best preventive measure against measles is immunization. If you are traveling to an area where measles outbreaks are occurring, make sure to get vaccinated, especially if you haven't been vaccinated before. Children, in particular, are at higher risk of experiencing severe cases of measles, so ensure they receive their vaccinations.
Remember, vitamin A supplements will be recommended only for measles patients under proper medical supervision and not as a preventive measure. Consuming vitamin A in large amounts can cause harm to the body, so always consult a healthcare professional for guidance on supplementation.
Sources:
- Cochrane Review
- CDC Guidelines
- National Academies
- Expert Clinical Experience (2025)
- The experts suggest that food sources of Vitamin A, such as eggs, cheese, and certain vegetables, are important for immune function and vision, but they do not offer protection against infectious diseases like measles.
- While vitamin A deficiency may develop during the course of measles, making symptoms more severe, the experts caution against using certain supplements like budesonide and clarithromycin for routine measles management, as there is no clear evidence supporting their unproven benefits.
- If a person is diagnosed with measles, two oral doses of Vitamin A may be recommended under proper medical supervision, but consuming Vitamin A in large amounts can cause harm to the body.
- Measles cases have increased in several U.S. states, including California, New York, and Maryland, underscoring the importance of immunization as the best preventive measure against the disease.
- Children are at a higher risk of experiencing severe cases of measles, so it's crucial that they receive their vaccinations, especially before traveling to areas where measles outbreaks are occurring.
- In addition to immunization, promoting fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, and overall health-and-wellness are important for maintaining a strong immune system and ensuring proper nutrition, particularly in the face of chronic-diseases.
- Further research is needed to explore the potential benefits of vitamin A supplements, cod liver oil, the steroid budesonide, and the antibiotic clarithromycin in the treatment and prevention of measles, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still advocates for vaccination as the primary measure against the disease.
