As measles spreads quickly across the United States, a new and surprising problem is emerging: some children are getting sick not from the virus itself, but from taking too much vitamin A.
At Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock, Texas, doctors have seen several unvaccinated children develop signs of liver problems after being given large doses of vitamin A by their families.
Dr. Lara Johnson, the hospital’s chief medical officer, said that these children were not only at risk of measles but also of vitamin A poisoning.
This new problem may be linked to misinformation being shared during the outbreak. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who leads the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has promoted vitamin A as a possible way to protect against measles.
However, health experts say that’s not true. According to doctors, only the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine can safely and effectively prevent measles. Two doses of the vaccine protect about 97% of people.
Dr. Peter Hotez, an expert in vaccines at Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, warned that if people believe they can choose between the vaccine or vitamin A, many children will end up getting measles when they could have been protected.
On top of that, there is another danger: families giving children large amounts of vitamin A without knowing it can be toxic in high doses.
Vitamin A is a nutrient that helps with vision, growth, and the immune system. It is found in foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and dairy products. It can also be taken as a supplement.
In some developing countries, doctors may give children a carefully measured dose of vitamin A during a measles infection to help reduce the risk of serious complications like pneumonia or eye damage. But that treatment is usually only needed in areas where children are malnourished and vitamin A is lacking.
In the U.S., most children are well-fed and get enough vitamin A from their diet. Dr. Lesley Motheral, a pediatrician in Lubbock, said extra vitamin A is usually not needed for kids in Texas.
Taking too much can cause serious side effects, such as dry and peeling skin, blurred vision, bone pain, headaches, and liver damage. In pregnant women, high doses can even cause birth defects.
Luckily, if caught early, vitamin A toxicity can improve once the supplements are stopped. But in more serious cases, the damage—especially to the liver or bones—can last a long time or even be permanent.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), which represents supplement companies, also spoke out. They warned parents not to give their children large amounts of vitamin A and reminded people that there’s no good evidence that it prevents measles. The group expressed concern about people using supplements in the wrong way, especially in young children.
Dr. Johnson believes some parents may be following misleading advice from social media or from popular health influencers online. Some of these influencers have encouraged the use of unproven treatments like ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, and now vitamin A, while downplaying the importance of vaccines.
In a recent interview on Fox News, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supported a measles “treatment” that includes vitamin A, steroids, antibiotics, and cod liver oil. But medical experts say there is no strong evidence that this combination works. In fact, some parts of this plan—especially the high-dose vitamin A—may cause more harm than good.
So far, the measles outbreak has infected at least 378 people in 17 states, including Texas, New Mexico, Vermont, New York, and Washington. Health officials are urging families to get their children vaccinated as the safest and most effective way to stay protected.
Review and Analysis
This situation shows how misinformation can lead to new health problems during a disease outbreak. Vitamin A is important for health, but only in the right amounts.
While it can help treat severe measles in malnourished children under a doctor’s supervision, it is not a replacement for vaccines. In well-nourished countries like the U.S., giving children too much vitamin A can lead to serious side effects, including liver damage.
The root issue here is not just the measles virus, but the confusion caused by false health claims. As more people turn to social media or unqualified influencers for advice, they may avoid proven medical solutions and take unnecessary risks.
This study and real-life example show that even well-meaning actions—like giving a child vitamins—can go wrong if not guided by science and expert care.
Doctors and health leaders are now working to educate the public about what really works: the MMR vaccine. It’s safe, effective, and the best defense against measles.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about a breakfast linked to better blood vessel health, and drinking too much coffee could harm people with high blood pressure.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and results showing plant-based protein foods may help reverse diabetes.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
