A measles outbreak in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and possibly Kansas is causing concern over a supposed treatment that may be harming people. Vitamin A has been touted as a cure for measles by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. However, this approach is based on little rationale and can cause toxicity.
Research shows that vitamin A deficiency can make children with measles more severe cases, but this deficiency is rare in the US. In fact, cod liver oil pills, which are rich in vitamin A, have no proven benefit for treating measles. High doses of vitamin A can cause significant organ damage if not used carefully.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports over 600 cases of measles in the US as of early April, with most cases involving unvaccinated individuals or unknown vaccination status. The disease is highly contagious and has resulted in hospitalizations and deaths, which are entirely preventable through a highly effective vaccine.
Experts and hospitals, including Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock, have warned against excessive vitamin A use due to the potential side effects. Kennedy’s support of vitamin A as a measles treatment is seen as wrong-headed and potentially harming children who have little choice but to take it.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/rfk-jr-s-vitamin-a-fix-for-measles-is-hurting-kids-in-texas-2000585347