Measles prevention doesn't involve Vitamin A. Instead, experts disclose the actual functions of this vitamin.
Dishin' the Scoop on Measles, Vitamin A, and You
There's been a spike in measles cases across the US, with over a thousand folks infected in multiple states. You might've heard whispers about vitamin A supplements helping treat or prevent measles, but what's the real scoop? Here's the lowdown, straight from the experts.
The latest outbreaks have primarily been reported in Texas and New Mexico. But don't think you're off the hook if you don't live there – measles cases have surfaced in California, New York, Maryland, and many other states. Travelers, be warned – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend staying vigilant.
Measles, once a well-controlled disease, has seen some resurgences over the years. The last major outbreaks in the US took place in 2005, both of which were fueled by undervaccination.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, has suggested that vitamin A, like the kind found in cod liver oil, as well as the steroid budesonide and the antibiotic clarithromycin, may be beneficial in treating measles. However, the CDC still recommends vaccination as the best defence against the measles virus.
To set the record straight, Medical News Today spoke to three experts – infectious disease specialist Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH from the University of California, San Francisco, and pediatricians Daniel Ganjian, MD, FAAP and Danelle Fisher, MD, FAAP from Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.
So, can vitamin A prevent or treat measles?
"Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps boost the immune system and protect against infections, but it doesn't prevent infectious diseases like measles. However, having measles can impair your body's vitamin A levels, making symptoms more severe," Fisher explained.
"If someone has measles, two doses of vitamin A can be helpful as supportive care, especially for children under two years old," Gandhi added.
So while vitamin A may provide some assistance during a measles infection, it's not a preventive measure. "In this era, where people can easily obtain Vitamin A through their diets, taking Vitamin A to prevent measles is unnecessary," said Gandhi.
"There's no evidence to support the use of budesonide or other steroids as a standard treatment for measles. Antibiotics, like clarithromycin, should only be used if there's evidence of a secondary bacterial infection," Ganijan warned.
Protecting yourself against measles
Patients with measles should remain in isolation for four days before and after the onset of the rash to prevent transmission, according to major guidelines.
Vaccination, however, is the best form of prevention. "Getting vaccinated, especially if you live in an area with an outbreak, is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones," said Fisher.
Once you get the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine, your body produces antibodies to fight off these viruses. Young children should get their first dose at 12-15 months, and the second dose at 4-6 years. Older children, teens, and adults who haven't been vaccinated should receive one or two doses, depending on their age and vaccine history.
In summary, while vitamin A may offer some benefit for those already infected with measles, the best protection against the disease is vaccination. Stay vigilant, get vaccinated, and keep spreading the facts, not the measles.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. proposes that vitamin A, found in supplements like cod liver oil, could potentially be beneficial in treating measles, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still primarily recommends vaccination as the best defense.
- According to infectious disease specialist Monica Gandhi, while vitamin A may help children under two years old as supportive care when they have measles, it doesn't prevent infectious diseases like measles.
- Health-and-wellness experts suggest that people, especially those living in areas with an outbreak, should get vaccinated as the best way to protect themselves and their loved ones against measles.
- Science has shown that vaccines, such as the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine, create antibodies in the body to fight off measles, and it's important to stay updated with the recommended vaccinations for optimum health-and-wellness.
