The only way to protect your child from measles is with two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) shot. It is important to note that vitamin A, at any dose, cannot treat or prevent measles, says Dr. Therese Linnon from Akron Children’s Pediatrics, Warren.
Why is vitamin A used in measles treatment?
“Vitamin A helps prevent measles from becoming more severe. When a patient has measles, it decreases the natural amount of vitamin A in the body,” said Dr. Linnon.
To help restore a measles patient’s vitamin A levels, doctors usually use vitamin A supplementation. Without supplementing vitamin A, people with measles are at risk of eye damage or serious complications like pneumonia. It’s usually given over two days.
“This DOES NOT mean that vitamin A will prevent or treat the measles, but it may reduce the effects from the virus,” noted Dr. Linnon.
There is no dose of vitamin A that protects from measles. Don’t give vitamin A to your child without talking your child’s doctor, said Dr. Linnon. Too much vitamin A can make your child sick and cause nausea, vomiting, headache, tiredness, joint and bone pain, blurry vision, skin and hair problems, liver damage and coma.
What about cod liver oil?
Cod liver oil is high in vitamins A and D. And like using vitamin A supplementation, too much cod liver oil will make your child sick.
How does the MMR shot help?
Two doses of the MMR shot are the only way to protect your child from measles.
“One dose of the measles vaccine provides 93% effectiveness at preventing measles. After two doses of the measles vaccine, your child will have about 97% effective prevention from the measles,” said Dr. Linnon.
The first MMR shot is given between 12 to 15 months of age. The second MMR shot is given between ages 4 and 6. Vaccines are safe and effective ways to protect against disease.
If you have questions about the vaccine or measles, talk to your child’s doctor. If you think your child has measles and needs to be seen by a doctor, call ahead before you go to an emergency room, urgent care or doctor’s office and tell them your child’s symptoms.
