Measles prevention not facilitated by Vitamin A; Experts clarify its actual functions
Spotlight on Vitamin A, Budesonide, and Clarithromycin: Myths and Facts about Measles
Recent allegations about certain treatments for measles have sent ripples across healthcare circles. Here's a breakdown of the facts surrounding vitamin A, budesonide, and clarithromycin, and their role in treating or preventing measles.
- Measles on the Rise: As of May 15, 2025, the U.S. has reported over 1,000 measles cases, with 30 states impacted and 3 confirmed deaths. As concern escalates, medical experts weigh in on the effectiveness of various treatments.
- Vitamin A's Role: Vitamin A is essential for vision and immune system function, found in common foods like eggs, cheese, fish, milk, and veggies. But, does it help prevent or treat measles?
Three Expert Opinions:
- Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH (University of California, San Francisco): "Vitamin A does not prevent measles. It is only consider[ed] a supportive treatment for children with the disease, especially those with a deficiency."
- Danelle Fisher, MD (Providence Saint John's Health Center): "Vitamin A does not prevent measles, but can help reduce symptoms for children affected by measles when they have a deficiency."
- Daniel Ganjian, MD, FAAP (Providence Saint John's Health Center): "While vitamin A helps the immune system, it will not protect against infectious diseases like measles. However, treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can be beneficial when a child has severe measles."
It's important to note that vaccination is the most effective prevention against measles, not vitamin A supplements.
- Budesonide and Clarithromycin: These treatments have gained attention as alternative cures, but there's no scientific evidence supporting them as standard treatments for measles. Their use should not be considered standard of care.
- Danelle Fisher, MD: "There is no evidence to support the use of budesonide as a standard treatment for measles."
- Daniel Ganjian, MD, FAAP: "While a recent retrospective cohort study found no evidence of harm from steroid use in measles, there is no clear indication for their routine use in measles management. Budesonide and clarithromycin are typically used for other conditions, not measles."
A Health Warning: Antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, should only be used to treat confirmed bacterial infections, never as routine therapy for viral infections like measles.
In conclusion, vaccination is the most reliable shield against the measles virus. Vitamin A may offer some benefits as a supportive treatment for children with measles, but it does not prevent the disease. Budesonide and clarithromycin have no scientific backing for their use in treating or preventing measles. Always consult a healthcare professional before implementing any treatment strategies.
- The rise in measles cases in the U.S. has sparked debates about appropriate treatments, with vitamin A being one of the topics under investigation.
- Essential for vision and immune system function, vitamin A is found in a variety of foods like eggs, cheese, fish, milk, and vegetables.
- According to Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH from the University of California, San Francisco, vitamin A does not prevent measles, but can be a supportive treatment for children affected by the disease with a deficiency.
- Danelle Fisher, MD from Providence Saint John’s Health Center shares a similar view, stating that while vitamin A can help reduce symptoms for children affected by measles with a deficiency, it does not prevent the disease.
- Daniel Ganjian, MD, FAAP from the same healthcare center agrees, adding that while vitamin A helps the immune system, it will not protect against infectious diseases like measles. However, he suggests that treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can benefit a child with severe measles.
- It's crucial to remember that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles, not vitamin A supplements.
- Budesonide and clarithromycin have been gaining attention as potential cures for measles, but there's no scientific evidence supporting them as standard treatments for the disease.
- Danelle Fisher, MD believes that there is no evidence to support the use of budesonide as a standard treatment for measles.
- Daniel Ganjian, MD, FAAP informs that while a recent study found no evidence of harm from steroid use in measles, there is no clear indication for their routine use in measles management.
- Antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, should only be used to treat confirmed bacterial infections, never as routine therapy for viral infections like measles.
- The science behind treating or preventing measles is clear: vaccination is the most reliable shield.
- While vitamin A may offer some benefits as a supportive treatment for children with measles, it does not prevent the disease.
- Budesonide and clarithromycin have no scientific backing for their use in treating or preventing measles.
- Consulting a healthcare professional before implementing any treatment strategies is always advisable.
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