Measles prevention doesn't involve Vitamin A. Instead, experts reveal Vitamin A's real functions.
Vitamin A and Measles: The Latest Scoop
Measles cases are back on the rise in the US, with over 1,000 cases reported in several states as of May 2025. In light of recent remarks from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., many people are exploring vitamin A supplements as potential treatments or preventatives. But is there any truth to it?
We interviewed three medical and public health specialists to answer common questions about vitamin A supplements, measles, and disease prevention.
A Closer Look at Vitamin A and Infection Fighters
Wondering what vitamin A is and what it does in our bodies? Well consider it the superhero of the immune system, battling against invaders and promoting eye health. You can find it in common foods like eggs, cheese, fish, milk, and orange and green veggies.
But when it comes to measles, our experts agreed - vitamin A provides no magic preventive powers. And while it strengthens the immune system, it won't protect against contagious diseases like measles. However, someone infected with measles can experience a deficiency in the vitamin. In such cases, treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can help, according to our experts.
Steroids and Antibiotics: Friend or Foe?
After Kennedy Jr. praised the steroid budesonide and the antibiotic clarithromycin for treating measles, concerns have been raised about promoting unproven benefits for viral infections. Unfortunately, there's no solid evidence to back up budesonide as a standard treatment for measles. Antibiotics should only be used if there's a clear secondary bacterial infection.
Keeping Measles at Bay
The only surefire way to prevent measles is through vaccination. If you're looking to shield yourself and your loved ones, getting vaccinated—especially in areas where outbreaks are happening—is the best plan.
Vitamin A and Cod Liver Oil: Unraveling the Mysteries
Cod liver oil contains vitamins A and D, along with fatty acids. But consuming it in high amounts can trigger vitamin A toxicity, causing damage to the body. Make sure not to exceed certain daily levels of vitamin A intake, as per age recommendations (not more than 3,000 mcg for adults).
Protecting Yourself and Others
Patients with measles become contagious once the rash appears, so Keep a safe distance for four days from the onset of the rash to prevent transmission. Remember, vaccination remains the best defense against measles outbreaks, while vitamin A supplements should be used with caution and only under a doctor's supervision.
Stay vigilant, stay healthy. vaccination is key to protecting yourself and your community from measles.
Additional Insights- Prevention: Vitamin A supplements are not intended to prevent measles; vaccination is the effective measure.- Treatment: In cases of measles, vitamin A supplements can be given under medical care to address deficiencies, but toxicity is a risk if excessive amounts are ingested.- Avoidance: High consumption of cod liver oil, due to its high amounts of vitamin A, should be avoided without medical guidance due to potential toxicity risks.
- While measles cases are on the rise, vitamin A supplements are not a proven treatment or preventative for the disease.
- Wondering what vitamin A is and what it does in our bodies? Consider it the immune system's superhero, battling against invaders and promoting eye health.
- Foods like eggs, cheese, fish, milk, and orange and green veggies contain vitamin A.
- If someone is infected with measles, they may experience a deficiency in vitamin A, and treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can help under medical supervision.
- There's no solid evidence to back budesonide as a standard treatment for measles, and it should not be promoted for unproven benefits for viral infections.
- Antibiotics should only be used if there's a clear secondary bacterial infection.
- Vaccination is the only surefire way to prevent measles and is essential for protecting yourself and your loved ones, especially in areas where outbreaks are happening.
- Cod liver oil contains vitamins A and D, but consuming it in high amounts can cause vitamin A toxicity, which can damage the body.
- Vaccination, vaccination, and vaccination remain the key to protecting yourself and your community from measles outbreaks.
- education-and-self-development, personal-growth, career-development, politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice are important topics, but ensuring your health and that of your loved ones requires focus on nutrition, fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, and staying up-to-date on health-and-wellness information, including measles prevention and treatment.
