#Measles

A recent investigative piece highlights a concerning phenomenon associated with measles infections: immune amnesia. This condition severely impairs the body’s immune memory, potentially making those who have recovered from measles more vulnerable to other infections for years to follow. This critical finding questions the myths surrounding measles immunity, emphasizing the importance of vaccination.

The implications of immune amnesia, particularly highlighted in the current measles outbreak starting from Texas and spreading across 19 states, underscore the virus’s true danger. Contrary to myths, contracting measles does not enhance immune strength; instead, it compromises it significantly. The measles virus eradicates immune cells that remember past infections, thereby diminishing the body’s ability to fend off diseases it had previously overcome. This viral strategy replaces the immunity against other pathogens with a temporary defense against measles, ultimately requiring re-encounters with past pathogens to rebuild immune memory.

A new wave of research shows a troubling consequence of measles: immune amnesia. After a measles infection, the body’s immune memory can be erased, leaving a child more vulnerable to other infections for years. This challenges the belief that catching measles builds broader immunity and reinforces why vaccination matters for Thai families.

The topic is especially relevant as outbreaks persist in various regions. The virus’s danger goes beyond the immediate illness. Studies indicate that measles can erase immune cells that remember past infections, reducing protection against pathogens a child has previously fought. In effect, the immune system’s memory can reset, forcing families to contend with repeated illnesses.

A measles outbreak that began in Texas earlier this year has spread rapidly. By late March 2025, confirmed U.S. cases stood at 483. The surge raises questions about adult immunity, especially for those unsure about their vaccination history. About 93% of cases are linked to the Texas cluster, with spillover into nearby states where vaccination coverage varies. The outbreak mainly involves unvaccinated individuals, prompting debates on whether adults need a measles booster.

In a concerning development from West Texas, Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock has reported treating fewer than 10 pediatric patients for vitamin A toxicity, amidst a misinformation wave regarding vitamin A’s role in treating measles. This surge in cases is attributed to a misunderstanding promoted recently in media, particularly by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., suggesting that vitamin A can dramatically reduce measles mortality rates.

The children affected, initially hospitalized due to measles complications, now face the added complication of vitamin A toxicity, which can cause abnormal liver function and disrupt overall health, according to the National Institutes of Health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has emphasized that while vitamin A may be administered as part of supportive care in severe measles cases, it is not a replacement for vaccination. This message, echoed by Dr. Philip Huang of Dallas County Health and Human Services, underlines the critical importance of the measles vaccine as the primary preventive measure.

A concerning healthcare episode in West Texas has led Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock to treat fewer than 10 pediatric patients for vitamin A toxicity. The spike follows misinformation about vitamin A’s role in treating measles, amplified by media attention tied to statements from public figures. Health authorities warn that vitamin A can support severe measles care in some cases, but it is not a substitute for vaccination.

The affected children were hospitalized for measles-related complications and later faced additional health risks from excessive vitamin A intake. The National Institutes of Health highlights that high vitamin A can disrupt liver function and overall health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reiterates that vaccination remains the cornerstone of measles prevention, with vitamin A used only as part of clinical care in specific, severe cases. Local health officials emphasize sticking to proven preventive measures, especially vaccination.

The recent measles outbreak affecting West Texas and New Mexico has taken an unexpected turn with several patients suffering from vitamin A toxicity, raising alarm over health misinformation. At Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock—close to the outbreak’s center—some of the unvaccinated children hospitalized for measles exhibited signs of abnormal liver function, a likely indication of excessive vitamin A intake, explained Dr. Lara Johnson, pediatric hospitalist and chief medical officer for Covenant Health-Lubbock Service Area source.

A measles outbreak across West Texas and parts of New Mexico has raised concerns beyond the virus itself. At a major pediatric hospital in Lubbock, clinicians report abnormal liver function in unvaccinated children treated for measles, prompting questions about vitamin A. Authorities caution against unverified health tips circulating online.

Experts warn that false claims about vitamin A preventing measles have circulated widely, fueling confusion among families. Public health leaders reiterate that vaccination remains the strongest, evidence-based defense. Two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine are about 97% effective, making immunization the most reliable protection. Supplements cannot substitute proven vaccination.