Measles prevention not guaranteed by Vitamin A; Experts clarify its actual functions.
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Measles Contagion Hits the USA, Spurring Vitamin A Discussion
In recent times, the United States has been grappling with a significant measles outbreak. Over 1,000 confirmed cases have been reported across 30 states as of May 15, 2025. The disease has sadly caused three fatalities.
West Texas and New Mexico have borne the brunt of the outbreak, but measles cases have also been reported in California, New York, and Maryland, among other states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises travelers to exercise caution.
Measles was traditionally a manageable infectious disease, with only occasional outbreaks. The U.S. experienced two major measles surges in the past few decades, the most notable being the and the Indiana outbreak of 2005. Both incidents were largely driven by low vaccination rates.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, has posited that vitamin A, commonly found in cod liver oil, and the medications budesonide and clarithromycin could potentially aid in treating measles.
Although the CDC regards vitamin A as a potential measles treatment, the agency still advocates for immunization as the most effective preventative measure.
To shed light on vitamin A supplements for measles, Medical News Today consulted three seasoned medical and public health professionals - Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, Daniel Ganjian, MD, FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, and Danelle Fisher, MD, FAAP, another pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center.
Does Vitamin A Help Prevent or Treat Measles?
"Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that's essential for vision and immune system function. It can be found in many common foods, such as eggs, cheese, fish, milk, and orange and green vegetables," Fisher elucidated.
All three experts concurred that vitamin A offers no protection against measles as a preventative measure. However, during the onset of measles, the disease itself can cause vitamin A deficiency, exacerbating symptoms.
"While vitamin A does bolster the immune system, it doesn't protect against infectious diseases like measles. When someone contracts the measles virus, their body may exhibit vitamin A deficiency. In that state, treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can be effective," Fisher explained.
Gandhi agreed, stating that vitamin A supplementation, especially for children, is considered "supportive care."
Budesonide and Clarithromycin for Measles Treatment?
In response to Kennedy Jr.'s endorsement of budesonide and clarithromycin, many experts have expressed concern about promoting unproven benefits for these medications for treating measles.
"There is no evidence to support the routine use of budesonide for treating measles. Although research suggests no harm from steroid use in measles cases, it's not recommended as a standard treatment," Ganijan stated.
"The use of budesonide in measles management should be relegated to further research for a better understanding of its role," he continued.
Regarding clarithromycin, Ganijan emphasized that antibiotics are earmarked for treating confirmed bacterial infections and are not suitable for viral infections such as measles.
Protect Yourself from Measles
According to the CDC, people are considered infectious when the measles rash appears. They recommend isolating patients with measles for four days to prevent transmission.
Ganijan underscored the importance of isolating patients during this period as recommended by leading medical guidelines.
"The best safeguard against measles is vaccination. Vitamin A is administered as treatment when someone has measles and is not a preventative measure. To protect yourself and your community, it's crucial to get vaccinated, particularly if you reside in areas with ongoing outbreaks," Gandhi stressed.
Vitamin A, Cod Liver Oil, and Supplementation
Gandhi pointed out that cod liver oil contains vitamin A, vitamin D, and fatty acids, making it a multifaceted supplement.
"Excessive consumption of vitamin A can lead to toxicity, causing symptoms such as skin and bone fragility, headache, liver damage, and other complications," Fisher warned.
Recommended daily intakes of vitamin A vary depending on age. Babies and children require approximately 300 mcg, while adults should consume around 2,333 mcg (women) and 3,000 mcg (men).
Certain populations, such as premature infants and those with conditions affecting dietary absorption, like celiac disease or Crohn's disease, may require supplements to meet their daily requirements.
Exceeding the Vitamin A Limit
Gandhi highlighted the dangers of ingesting too much vitamin A, advising caution when consuming supplements.
"Too much vitamin A can have detrimental effects on the body, causing symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, rash, blurred vision, drowsiness, muscle weakness, and other side effects. Regular supplementation is unnecessary for people consuming diets rich in vitamin A," Fisher explained.
- The recent measles outbreak in the USA, with over 1,000 confirmed cases, has sparked discussions about the potential benefits of vitamin A.
- West Texas and New Mexico have been most impacted by the measles contagion, but other states like California, New York, and Maryland have also reported cases.
- Measles, once a manageable infectious disease, has experienced significant outbreaks in the past few decades, with the Indiana outbreak of 2005 being particularly notable.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, has suggested that vitamin A, found in cod liver oil, could aid in treating measles.
- Although the CDC considers vitamin A a potential treatment for measles, the agency still advocates for immunization as the most effective preventative measure.
- Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist, Danelle Fisher, another pediatrician, and Daniel Ganjian, a board-certified pediatrician, were consulted by Medical News Today to shed light on vitamin A supplements for measles.
- Although vitamin A is essential for vision and immune system function, it offers no protection against measles as a preventative measure, according to the experts.
- During the onset of measles, the disease itself can cause vitamin A deficiency, exacerbating symptoms, but vitamin A supplementation can be effective as supportive care.
- Budesonide, as advocated by Kennedy Jr., has no evidence supporting its routine use for treating measles, according to experts.
- Clarithromycin, an antibiotic, is not suitable for viral infections like measles, further emphasized by the experts.
- The CDC advises isolating patients with measles for four days to prevent transmission, as they are considered infectious when the measles rash appears.
- Vaccination is the best safeguard against measles, stresses Gandhi, and it's crucial to get vaccinated, particularly in areas with ongoing outbreaks.
- Cod liver oil contains vitamin A, vitamin D, and fatty acids, making it a multifaceted supplement, according to Gandhi.
- Excessive consumption of vitamin A can lead to toxicity, causing a range of symptoms, from skin and bone fragility to liver damage, warned Fisher.
- Recommended daily intakes of vitamin A vary depending on age, with babies and children requiring approximately 300 mcg, while adults should consume around 2,333 mcg (women) and 3,000 mcg (men).
- Certain populations, such as premature infants and those with conditions affecting dietary absorption, may require supplements to meet their daily requirements.
- Regular supplementation of vitamin A is unnecessary for people consuming diets rich in vitamin A, cautioned Fisher.
