Doctors in West Texas have been treating measles patients whose illnesses have been complicated by alternative therapies promoted by vaccine skeptics such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Parents in Gaines County, the center of the measles outbreak, have been turning to supplements and unproven treatments, including vitamin A, in an attempt to protect their unvaccinated children against the virus. However, physicians at Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock have reported cases where children were given such high doses of vitamin A that they experienced signs of liver damage.
While doctors may administer high doses of vitamin A in a hospital setting to manage severe measles, experts do not recommend taking it without proper supervision. Vitamin A is not an effective way to prevent measles, as the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is the best preventative measure. High doses of vitamin A can lead to liver damage, dry skin, hair loss, and in rare cases, seizures and coma. Doctors in West Texas have seen patients with liver damage from vitamin A supplementation, identified through routine lab work during hospitalization for measles.
The measles outbreak in Texas has affected more than 320 people, with 40 patients hospitalized and one child deceased. The virus has also spread to neighboring New Mexico counties and Oklahoma. Local health officials are worried about the rise of unproven remedies for measles, which may cause people to delay medical treatment and reject vaccination. In Gaines County, where the outbreak is concentrated, many in the Mennonite community prefer natural remedies and avoid the medical system.
The popularity of using vitamin A for measles in West Texas can be traced back to an interview on Fox News with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., where he spoke about the benefits of cod liver oil as a source of vitamin A. Drugstores in the area struggled to keep vitamin A and cod liver oil supplements in stock after the interview, and some doctors began providing these supplements to treat active measles cases or prevent infection. However, experts caution against excessive vitamin A intake outside of a hospital setting, as it can lead to toxicity in the body.
Vitamin A can be beneficial for patients with severe measles infections as part of supportive care to replenish depleted stores and boost the immune system. However, it is not a miracle cure for measles, and there is no antiviral medication available for the virus. Giving high doses of vitamin A repeatedly to prevent infection can be dangerous, as excess vitamin A accumulates in fat tissue and can reach harmful levels over time. Physicians in West Texas are concerned about parents relying on over-the-counter supplements with inaccurate labeling and dosage recommendations from unverified sources.
Local doctors emphasize the importance of vaccination as the most effective way to prevent measles infections. While vitamin A can play a role in treating severe infections in a hospital setting, it is not a recommended preventative measure for the virus, especially in the United States where vitamin A deficiencies are rare. Parents are urged to consult with healthcare professionals before giving their children vitamin A supplements and to prioritize vaccination to protect against measles and other preventable diseases.
