Doctors in West Texas are treating measles patients whose conditions have been worsened by an alternative therapy promoted by vaccine skeptics like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary.
In Gaines County, Texas, where a measles outbreak is ongoing, parents are increasingly turning to supplements and unproven treatments in an effort to protect their unvaccinated children from the virus.
One of these treatments is vitamin A, which Mr. Kennedy has touted as a nearly miraculous cure for measles. Physicians at Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock, Texas, have reported cases of children suffering from liver damage due to excessive vitamin A intake.
Dr. Summer Davies, who cares for severely ill children at the hospital, mentioned that some children had been given unsafe amounts of supplements for weeks in an attempt to prevent measles infection.
Dr. Davies shared the case of a patient who had only been sick for a few days but had been taking vitamin A for several weeks.
While high doses of vitamin A may be administered in a hospital for severe measles cases, experts do not recommend taking it without medical supervision. Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles.
At high doses, vitamin A can cause liver damage and other serious side effects. Doctors in West Texas have observed patients with signs of liver damage due to excessive vitamin A intake.
The ongoing measles outbreak in Texas has affected more than 320 individuals, with 40 hospitalized and one fatality as of Tuesday.
Neighboring New Mexico counties have reported 43 measles cases, with two hospitalizations. Seven confirmed cases in Oklahoma have also been linked to the outbreak.
Health officials are increasingly concerned about the popularity of unproven remedies for measles, fearing that it is causing delays in necessary medical care and vaccine rejection.
In Gaines County, where a majority of cases have been reported in the Mennonite community, traditional natural remedies are favored over conventional medical treatments.
The recent surge in vitamin A use for measles in the area has been attributed to statements made by Mr. Kennedy in a Fox News interview.
Kevin Griffis, former communications director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cited Mr. Kennedy’s handling of the outbreak as a reason for his resignation.
Mr. Griffis detailed how infectious disease experts at the C.D.C. were forced to search for data to support Mr. Kennedy’s preferred treatments.
Following the Fox News interview, vitamin A supplements flew off the shelves in West Texas. Public health officials expressed concern over the unregulated use of such products.
A local doctor named by Mr. Kennedy began providing various treatments, including vitamin A supplements, in Gaines County to combat measles cases.
Dr. Davies suspects that a majority of the children she treated had been taking vitamin A supplements at home.
Experts acknowledge the role of vitamin A in providing supportive care for severe measles infections.
Dr. William Schaffner explained how vitamin A helps replenish stores depleted by the virus and strengthens the immune system.
However, he emphasized that vitamin A is not a miracle treatment for measles and does not prevent infection. Excessive intake can lead to dangerous health consequences.
Parents in West Texas are advised to be cautious about over-the-counter supplements and seek verified medical advice for their children.
Dr. Lara Johnson expressed concern over the preventative use of vitamin A and the potential toxicity risks associated with prolonged intake.
She cautioned against relying on unverified sources for dosage recommendations and stressed the importance of seeking medical guidance.