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West Texas children treated for vitamin A toxicity as medical disinformation spreads alongside measles outbreak

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West Texas children treated for vitamin A toxicity as medical disinformation spreads alongside measles outbreak

Medical disinformation connected to the West Texas measles outbreak has created a new problem. Children are being treated for toxic levels of vitamin A.

Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock confirms it is treating children with severe cases of measles who are also suffering from vitamin A toxicity. According to the hospital, they have admitted fewer than 10 pediatric patients who were all initially hospitalized due to measles complications but have elevated levels of vitamin A that is resulting in abnormal liver function.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. directed the CDC to update its measles guidance to promote the use of vitamin A.

Kennedy, who has a history of spreading misinformation about vaccines, recommended in an article published March 2 on FOX News to take vitamin A under the supervision of a physician for those with mild, moderate and severe infections.

During a March 4 interview on Fox News, Kennedy suggested that therapies such as the use of cod liver oil — which contains vitamins A and D — were "working" in treating measles patients.

There are reports from the West Texas area that cod liver oil is in high demand and a big seller at area pharmacies.

But the hospital is informing the public to reduce consumption of vitamin A and has warned that excessive amounts of it may result in significant adverse effects.

There is no evidence that taking vitamin A will prevent measles.

50 comments
  • The real great replacement theory: right-wingers not listening to the experts in their fields and doing dumb things that end up potentially harming themselves and/or their family members.

  • why do fascists always encourage people to get sick? like wtf is the benefit for them here.

50 comments