Measles prevention not guaranteed by Vitamin A; specialized individuals clarify its actual functions instead.
Hear the Tea:
The measles outbreak in the USA is back and causing a stir. As of the latest count, more than a grand worth of cases have been spotted across 30 states, with three confirmed deaths. States like western Texas and New Mexico are experiencing a significant rise, while measles are also being reported in California, New York, Maryland, and more.
Kennedy's Comments:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, recently said that vitamin A supplements, like cod liver oil, could help treat or prevent measles. But what's the real lowdown?
The Experts Weigh In:
To get the scoop, Medical News Today spoke to three medical 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, California; and Danelle Fisher, another board-certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
Vitamin A: Prevention or Treatment?
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that's crucial for vision and the immune system. It's found naturally in numerous foods, including eggs, cheese, fish, milk, orange and green veggies, and yes, cod liver oil. But, here's where it gets tricky – while vitamin A is essential for the immune system, it doesn't help protect against infectious diseases like measles.
The real deal is that having the measles virus can cause a vitamin A deficiency, making symptoms more severe. However, vitamin A does not aid in preventing measles. During an infection, a double dose of vitamin A can be helpful, but only when treating the disease.
Budesonide and Clarithromycin: Help or Hype?
Following Kennedy's comments, there's been quite a buzz surrounding two medications – the steroid budesonide and the antibiotic clarithromycin. Initial research from a cohort study found no evidence of harm from steroid use in measles. Yet, these medications should not be viewed as standard treatments for measles management.
Antibiotics like clarithromycin are used only to treat confirmed bacterial infections, not viral infections like measles. That said, if a secondary bacterial infection like pneumonia or otitis media crops up, antibiotics may be prescribed.
Protect Yourself Against Measles
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you isolate yourself from others when the measles rash appears. Typically, someone with measles should remain in isolation for four days before and after the rash appears.
The only foolproof method to steer clear of measles is vaccination, especially if you reside in an area with an outbreak, such as Texas or New Mexico. You should also get your children vaccinated if they haven't had the vaccine.
Vitamin A, Cod Liver Oil, and the Daily Dose
Cod liver oil contains vitamin A, vitamin D, and fatty acids, making it a complex supplement. Getting enough vitamin A through diet should be possible for most people. However, some populations may require supplements to ensure they meet their daily needs.
However, beware of taking too much vitamin A. High intake can result in toxicity, causing problems like headaches, liver damage, and more.
The Bottom Line
Vitamin A may help reduce the severity of measles symptoms in cases of deficiency, but it does not prevent the disease. There is no evidence supporting the use of budesonide or clarithromycin for treating or preventing measles. Vaccination continues to be the primary method for preventing measles. Stay safe, y'all!
- According to the experts, while vitamin A is crucial for vision and the immune system, it doesn't help protect against infectious diseases like measles.
- Having the measles virus can cause a vitamin A deficiency, making symptoms more severe, but vitamin A does not aid in preventing measles.
- During an infection, a double dose of vitamin A can be helpful, but only when treating the disease, not for prevention.
- Budesonide, a steroid, has shown no evidence of harm from steroid use in measles, but it should not be viewed as a standard treatment for measles management.
- Clarithromycin, an antibiotic, is used only to treat confirmed bacterial infections, not viral infections like measles.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends isolating yourself from others when the measles rash appears and suggests vaccination as the primary method for preventing measles.
- Cod liver oil contains vitamin A, vitamin D, and fatty acids, making it a complex supplement. While getting enough vitamin A through diet should be possible for most people, some populations may require supplements, and high intake of vitamin A can result in toxicity.
