As Measles cases Continuing to appear in several U.S. states, treatment and prevention are the most important.
Since most infected people are unvaccinated school-age children, the U.S. health agency stressed the importance of receiving two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines to prevent the disease.
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RFK noted that despite no approved measles antiviral drugs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a statement last week supporting support for vitamin A under physician supervision As supportive care.
Previous studies published in the International Journal of Epidemiology show that vitamin A combined with a measles vaccine can effectively interfere with measles mortality in children.
RFK reiterates the importance of maintenance Good nutrition and consume various vitamins (such as A, B12, C, D and E) as “the best defense against chronic and infectious diseases”.
“Vitamin A may be helpful as part of a broader treatment package, especially in areas with insufficient children.”
Although research shows that vitamin A can help fight measles infection, Neil Maniar, PhD, PhD, MPH, professor of public health practice at Northeastern University in Boston, reiterates that it does not prevent the disease.
“this Two doses of MMR vaccine It is the safest and most effective tool for us to prevent this highly contagious disease,” he told Fox News Digital.
The CDC recommends that 50,000 IU of vitamin A doses per day for 6-month-old babies, 100,000 IU for 6-month-old babies and 200,000 IU for children 12 months and older. (iStock)
“Vitamin A can be useful as part of a wider range of treatment options, especially in Insufficient children. ”
The expert pointed out that vitamin A can reduce the severity of measles symptoms and the possibility of death in patients with vitamin A deficiency.
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“For children diagnosed with measles and vitamin A deficiency, receiving age-appropriate vitamin A may reduce the likelihood of developing severe illness or dying,” he added.
The expert warns that vitamin A can be harmful at high doses, so “critical that vitamin A is not considered the primary treatment for all cases of measles.”
Experts stress that vitamin A is not a substitute for MMR vaccines and will not prevent measles. (iStock)
Vitamin A deficiency is common in developing countries and is consistent with increased measles mortality in these regions, said Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Brigham Young and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
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In an interview with Fox News Digital, Kuritzkes mentioned in 1993 the Harvard-Smart School of Public Health study that “favors” vitamin A supplementation to reduce measles mortality in children in “resource-limited environments” or developing countries.
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Saahir Khan, MD, an infectious disease expert at USC Keck Medicine in Los Angeles, agrees that vitamin A is not a direct treatment for measles.
“In contrast, children with vitamin A deficiency, which occur primarily in resource-limited environments such as sub-Saharan Africa, have proven to have more severe Disease manifestations From measles, you can benefit from vitamin A supplements to correct its potential defects. ” He responded to Fox News Digital.
“Vitamin A supplementation has not been proven to prevent measles infection and is by no means a replacement for vaccination, which has proven benefits in preventing measles,” one doctor noted. (iStock)
“Study has not shown clear, consistent benefits to vitamin A supplementation in a resource-rich environment like the United States, which has insufficient vitamin content.”
Although vitamin A is “not likely to harm patients” at the appropriate dose, Khan shared a control study that “does not support this practice”.
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CDC only recommends vitamin A supplementation under the guidance of A Professional medical staffKuritzkes said this is “critical” to ensure the correct dose is given.
“Improper administration can lead to toxicity and a disease called Hypervitaminesi, which is a health problem caused by excessive vitamin A,” he warned.
Doctors warn that vitamin A can be harmful at high doses and can lead to a condition called hyperacetamide disease. (iStock)
“So, people should not buy generic A supplements for their children in pharmacies or health food stores.”
Maniar, Kuritzkes and Khan all stress that vitamin A is not Vaccination alternativesbecause the MMR vaccine is the “most powerful tool” to prevent and control outbreaks.
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“It is crucial that we work with the community to educate individuals and families about the importance of MMR vaccines and ensure that all vaccines that are needed are available,” Maniar added.
