Measles prevention does not involve Vitamin A. Instead, learn about its roles in maintaining eye health, promoting immune function.
Uptick in Measles Cases Sparks Public Interest in Vitamin A Supplementation
The United States is currently grappling with a significant measles outbreak, affecting 30 states as of May 15, 2025. This resurgence has led to over 1,000 confirmed cases and three reported deaths. The outbreak seems to be primarily centered around western Texas and New Mexico, with additional cases reported in California, New York, Maryland, and numerous other states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises travelers to exercise caution.
Measles has historically been a well-contained infectious disease, with only occasional surges. Two major measles outbreaks in recent decades were the and the Indiana outbreak of 2005, both incited by undervaccination.
In recent discussions, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., expressed his belief that vitamin A, found in supplements such as cod liver oil, the steroid budesonide, and the antibiotic clarithromycin could help treat measles. Although the CDC lists vitamin A as a potential treatment, vaccination continues to be the preferred method for prevention.
Medical News Today consulted three medical and public health experts - Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, Daniel Ganjian, a board-certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, and Danelle Fisher, another board-certified pediatrician at the same facility - to address common questions about the use of vitamin A supplements for measles and preventive measures people can take.
Question: Can vitamin A prevent or treat measles?
Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin essential for vision and immune system function, is found in various foods including eggs, cheese, fish, milk, and orange and green vegetables. While it plays a crucial role in the immune system, it provides no preventative benefit against measles. The disease itself can cause vitamin A deficiency, exacerbating symptoms. Treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can be useful in these cases.
Question: What about budesonide and clarithromycin?
Despite Kennedy Jr.'s endorsement of budesonide and clarithromycin for treating measles, experts have raised concerns about promoting unsubstantiated benefits for these medications. There is no concrete evidence to support the routine use of budesonide as a standard treatment for measles, and it should not be considered standard care. Clarithromycin is an antibiotic reserved for treating confirmed bacterial infections, not viral infections like measles.
Question: How to protect yourself against measles
The CDC states that individuals are contagious from the onset of the measles rash. Patients with measles should isolate themselves for four days to prevent transmission. Vaccination remains the only effective prevention method against measles. In areas where the outbreak is occurring (e.g., western Texas and New Mexico), vaccination is particularly important.
Although vitamin A can help manage certain complications of measles, it should not be used as a preventative measure. The best course of action is to get vaccinated, especially for young children and those in affected areas.
Additional Details (if relevant)
The World Health Organization recommends two doses of vitamin A supplements to prevent eye damage in people with measles who are vitamin-deficient. Vitamin A, cod liver oil, and other supplements should be taken with caution due to potential toxicity associated with high doses. It is essential to consult a healthcare professional for guidance on supplementation.
- The uptick in measles cases has sparked public interest in the potential benefits of vitamin A supplements.
- While vitamin A is essential for vision and immune system function, it does not provide preventative benefits against measles.
- In the case of measles, treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can be useful in managing certain complications, particularly in cases of vitamin deficiency.
- The CDC advises travelers to exercise caution in areas affected by the measles outbreak, and isolating oneself for four days can help prevent transmission.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists vaccination as the preferred method for prevention of measles.
- When considering vitamin A supplements, caution should be exercised due to potential toxicity associated with high doses.
- In addition to vaccination, general measures for good health and wellness, such as maintaining a balanced diet rich in foods like fish and vegetables, exercise, mental health awareness, education, and self-development also play a role in strengthening the immune system and overall health.
