The internet has made health information easier to access than ever before. Unfortunately, it has also made it easier for misinformation to spread.
During health emergencies, inaccurate advice can sometimes travel faster than scientific evidence. A new study examining the 2025 measles outbreak in the United States provides a striking example of how this can happen.
Researchers reported that poison centers across the country received dramatically more reports involving vitamin A exposure during the early months of the outbreak.
Their findings were published in JAMA Network Open and suggest that online discussions and media coverage may have influenced many people to use vitamin A in ways that were not supported by scientific evidence.
Vitamin A is an important nutrient that the body needs for healthy eyesight, immune function, skin health, and normal growth. It is naturally found in many foods and is also available in supplement form.
Because it supports the immune system, some people mistakenly assume that taking large amounts will prevent infections or provide extra protection during disease outbreaks.
The study focused on the 2025 measles outbreak, which became the largest measles outbreak in the United States since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases known.
An infected person can spread the virus through tiny droplets in the air, and the virus can remain suspended in the environment long after the person has left.
Although measles often begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, it can also cause serious complications. Some patients develop pneumonia, brain inflammation, or other life-threatening conditions. Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent infection.
As the outbreak expanded, public interest in alternative remedies increased. Researchers found that discussions promoting vitamin A and cod liver oil gained attention online and in the media.
Interest intensified after several public statements suggested that vitamin A could help treat measles and after comments made on a highly popular podcast reached a large audience.
To understand the public response, the researchers examined national Google search trends from January through June 2025. They tracked searches related to vitamin A, cod liver oil, and measles. They also reviewed media coverage and public discussions occurring during the same period.
The data revealed a clear pattern. Searches for vitamin A related to measles rose sharply after media attention increased. Interest in cod liver oil also climbed. Around the same time, America’s Poison Centers recorded a 38.7% increase in vitamin A exposure reports between January and March 2025.
Many of the reported exposures involved children. This is particularly concerning because excessive vitamin A can be dangerous. While the nutrient is essential in appropriate amounts, high doses can overwhelm the body’s ability to process and store it safely.
Too much vitamin A can cause symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, fatigue, and blurred vision. Long-term overuse can lead to more serious problems, including liver damage and bone abnormalities. Children are especially vulnerable because toxic doses are lower relative to their body size.
The researchers emphasized an important distinction. Vitamin A can sometimes be used as part of medical care for measles patients under professional supervision, particularly in cases involving deficiency. However, it is not a substitute for vaccination and does not prevent someone from becoming infected with the measles virus.
The study illustrates how public health behavior can change rapidly when influential voices promote unproven health claims. In today’s digital environment, millions of people can be exposed to the same message within hours, increasing the potential impact of misinformation.
Researchers argue that health officials need to respond quickly when misleading information begins spreading during public health crises. Timely communication based on scientific evidence may help prevent harmful behaviors and reduce unnecessary health risks.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about the harm of vitamin D deficiency you need to know, and does eating potatoes increase your blood pressure?
For more information about health, please see recent studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and results showing MIND diet may reduce risk of vision loss disease.
Source: JAMA Network Open.
