Measles not hindered by Vitamin A; learn about the true functions of this supplement.

Measles not hindered by Vitamin A; learn about the true functions of this supplement.

The United States is currently grappling with a significant measles outbreak, with 30 states reporting cases as of May 15, 2025. The outbreak has led to at least three confirmed deaths, primarily concentrated in western Texas and New Mexico, but additional cases have been reported in California, New York, Maryland, and several other states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has strongly advised travelers to exercise caution.

Measles, an often well-controlled infectious disease, has experienced surges in the past, notably during the Indiana outbreak in 2005. These surges have been linked to undervaccination. Recent remarks by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, have sparked renewed interest in vitamin A supplements as a potential treatment for measles. While the CDC recognizes vitamin A as a possible treatment, they still advocate for vaccination as the most effective prevention strategy.

Medical News Today spoke to three medical and public health experts to address common questions about vitamin A supplements, measles, and preventative measures. Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, Dr. Daniel Ganjian, a board-certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, and Dr. Danelle Fisher, another board-certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, shared their insights.

Can vitamin A prevent or treat measles?Dr. Fisher explained that vitamin A, found in many common foods, supports vision and the immune system. However, all three experts agree that vitamin A provides no preventive benefits against measles. While vitamin A can help protect against the disease-induced deficiency and alleviate symptom severity, it does not prevent infectious diseases like measles.

Some have promoted the use of budesonide and clarithromycin in treating measles, but the experts cautioned against elevating unproven benefits for these treatments. Dr. Ganjian highlighted that there is no evidence to support the routine use of budesonide in measles management, and its role may require further investigation. As for clarithromycin, antibiotics are primarily reserved for treating confirmed bacterial infections, not viral infections like measles.

To protect oneself against measles, vaccination is crucial. The CDC recommends vaccination, especially for young children, older children, teens, and adults in areas where the outbreak is occurring. People who have not been vaccinated or are unsure about their vaccination status should consult with their healthcare provider.

Regarding cod liver oil and vitamin A, experts acknowledged that it contains vitamin A, vitamin D, and fatty acids. However, consuming vitamin A in high amounts can cause damage to the body and lead to toxicity. The recommended daily intake depends on age, and people should consult their healthcare provider to determine if supplements are necessary.

In resource-rich countries like the United States, most people consume the recommended daily allowance through their diets. Only certain populations, such as preterm infants or people with conditions affecting dietary absorption, may require supplements. With the ongoing measles outbreak, it's essential to prioritize vaccination to prevent further spread.

1. In the midst of a significant measles outbreak in the United States, with 30 states reporting cases as of May 15, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised travelers to exercise caution.
2. The current measles outbreak has led to at least three confirmed deaths, primarily concentrated in western Texas and New Mexico, with additional cases reported in California, New York, Maryland, and several other states.
3. Some have proposed the use of vitamin A supplements as a potential treatment for measles, following recent comments by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.
4. While the CDC recognizes vitamin A as a possible treatment for measles, they advocate for vaccination as the most effective prevention strategy.
5. Medical News Today spoke to three medical and public health experts - Dr. Monica Gandhi, Dr. Daniel Ganjian, and Dr. Danelle Fisher - to address common questions about vitamin A supplements, measles, and preventative measures.
6. Dr. Fisher explained that while vitamin A, found in many common foods, supports vision and the immune system, it does not provide any preventive benefits against measles.
7. Despite claims promoting the use of budesonide and clarithromycin in treating measles, the experts cautioned against elevating unproven benefits for these treatments.
8. In terms of cod liver oil and vitamin A, the experts acknowledged that it contains vitamin A, vitamin D, and fatty acids, but consuming high amounts can cause damage to the body and lead to toxicity.
9. In resource-rich countries like the United States, most people consume the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A through their diets.
10. Only certain populations, such as preterm infants or people with conditions affecting dietary absorption, may require supplements.
11. To protect oneself against measles, vaccination is crucial, and the CDC recommends vaccination, especially for young children, older children, teens, and adults in areas where the outbreak is occurring.
12. People who have not been vaccinated or are unsure about their vaccination status should consult with their healthcare provider.
13. Apart from health-and-wellness concerns, the ongoing measles outbreak also impacts general-news and mental-health, as anxiety levels rise due to the outbreak's uncertainty.
14. In the realm of finance-and-personal-finance, the measles outbreak might indirectly have an impact on personal-finance through increased healthcare expenses, especially for individuals who are not vaccinated.
15. As the outbreak continues, experts emphasize the importance of prioritizing vaccination to prevent further spread in the context of food-and-drink, cooking, lifestyle, investment, business, education-and-self-development, data-and-cloud-computing, technology, sports, sports-betting, basketball, and weather.

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