Measles resilience not influenced by Vitamin A consumption. Specialists clarify purposes of this vitamin supplement.
In recent developments, the United States is grappling with a recursive surge in measles cases, currently reaching over 1,000 across 30 states, with three confirmed fatalities as of May 15, 2025. The epicenters of these outbreaks have primarily been in western Texas and New Mexico, with additional cases reported in California, New York, Maryland, and other states. Travelers have been urged to exercise caution due to the CDC's warnings.
A notable factor contributing to the renewed interest in the disease is the latest comments from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, who has suggested that vitamin A supplements, cod liver oil, the steroid budesonide, and the antibiotic clarithromycin show promising results in treating and preventing measles. However, it is crucial to note that vaccination remains the most effective means of protection against this infectious disease.
To clarify the potential role of vitamin A supplements in measles prevention and management, Medical News Today reached out to three medical and public health experts: an infectious disease specialist (Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH) from the University of California, San Francisco, and two pediatricians (Daniel Ganjian, MD, FAAP, and Danelle Fisher, MD, FAAP) from Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.
Can vitamin A prevent or treat measles?
It has been established that vitamin A plays a pivotal role in vision and the immune system's functional activation. While not a preventative measure against infectious diseases like measles, vitamin A supplementation can aid the body's defense mechanisms to a certain extent. However, when someone is infected with measles, their body may develop a vitamin A deficiency, making symptoms worse. In such cases, two oral doses of vitamin A can help reduce complications and potentially improve recovery.
What about budesonide and clarithromycin?
Based on Kennedy Jr.'s endorsement, there has been growing concern over the promotion of unproven benefits for budesonide and clarithromycin in the treatment of measles. The experts have emphasized that there is no scientific evidence or established guidelines to support the use of either medication in measles management.
Ganijan further underlined that antibiotics like clarithromycin are reserved for use only to treat confirmed bacterial infections, as measles is a viral illness.
How to protect yourself against measles
As the CDC indicates, people are contagious with measles from the onset of the rash. Therefore, individuals diagnosed with measles should isolate themselves from others for four days to prevent transmission. According to Ganijan, patients with measles should remain in isolation for four days before the onset of the rash and for four days after.
The experts unequivocally agree that the only effective method of protection against measles is vaccination. In light of the ongoing measles outbreak, particularly in West Texas, New Mexico, and other affected areas, vaccination is strongly recommended, especially for unvaccinated individuals or those who have not been fully vaccinated.
Vitamin A and cod liver oil: What to know
Though cod liver oil contains vitamin A, vitamin D, and fatty acids, experts advise caution when consuming this supplement. High amounts of vitamin A in the body can cause damage, including liver, bone, central nervous system, and skin problems. Additionally, consuming an excessive amount of vitamin A can lead to toxicity, causing symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, rash, and blurred vision, among others.
In resource-rich countries like the United States, individuals typically consume the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A through their diets. Only certain populations, such as premature infants, those with celiac disease, or Crohn's disease, and others with impaired dietary absorption, may require supplements.
Currently, the CDC recommends that young children receive their first dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age, followed by a second dose between 4 and 6 years old. Older children, teens, and adults without vaccination or with one dose only should receive one to two MMR vaccine doses, with each dose administered at least 28 days apart. Those unsure about their vaccination status are encouraged to consult their healthcare providers.
- Ineffective as a preventative measure, vitamin A supplementation can still aid the body's defense mechanisms to a certain extent when someone is infected with measles, preventing complications and potentially improving recovery with two oral doses.
- Budesonide and clarithromycin, despite endorsements suggesting their benefits in measles treatment, lack scientific evidence or established guidelines to support their use in managing the disease.
- Isolation is crucial for those diagnosed with measles, as they can infect others from the onset of the rash. Patients should isolate for four days before the rash and four days after for prevention.
- Vaccination is the only effective method of protection against measles, with young children receiving their first MMR vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age followed by a second dose between 4 and 6 years old. Older individuals, especially those unvaccinated or with one dose only, should receive one to two MMR vaccine doses, with each dose administered at least 28 days apart.
