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Health officials are warning parents again about the dangerous viral “Benadryl challenge” after at least five kids were hospitalized in San Diego.

The challenge, which has circulated on social media for years, encourages young people to take large amounts of the over-the-counter allergy medicine Benadryl in an attempt to hallucinate.

Doctors say the trend is extremely dangerous and can lead to seizures, heart problems and even death.

At least five children were taken to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego in late May after attempting the challenge, according to local outlet KUSI.

Dr. Shahfar Khan, a pediatrician at the hospital, said doctors have been seeing teenagers and young adults affected by the trend.

“So we’re seeing a lot of 16 to 18 year olds, also young adults, 20 to 22,” Khan told KUSI.

Khan warned that taking large amounts of Benadryl can affect several major systems in the body.

“When you’re really taking it in large quantities, it can have an effect on various systems of the body,” Khan said.

“It can cause agitation, hallucinations, a very fast heart rate that could lead to cardiac arrest. Seizures we see often with the Benadryl ingestion as well.”

None of the five children recently treated in San Diego had to be admitted for ongoing care, according to the hospital.

Still, doctors and health officials say the outcome could have been much worse.

Benadryl contains diphenhydramine, a medication that is generally safe when used as directed but can become dangerous when misused or taken in excessive amounts.

Kenvue, the company that makes Benadryl, called the viral challenge “dangerous” and said it “should be stopped immediately.”

The company said it has been working with social media platforms to remove posts promoting the challenge.

“We’ve taken action to stop this behavior from spreading and work with social media platforms and their safety teams to remove these dangerous posts, including any new content we identify in our monitoring,” a Kenvue spokesperson said.

The company also said it works with nonprofit partners and health professionals to educate the public about proper use and safe storage of over-the-counter medicines.

The warning comes after past tragedies tied to the challenge.

In 2023, 13-year-old Jacob Stevens of Columbus, Ohio, died after overdosing while attempting the Benadryl challenge.

His family later spoke out to warn other parents about the danger.

“It was too much for his body,” Jacob’s father, Justin Stevens, told local outlet WSYX at the time.

Jacob was placed on a ventilator for six days before he died. His father called it “the worst day of his life.”

His family urged parents to pay close attention to what their children are watching online.

“Keep an eye on what your kid’s doing with that phone,” Jacob’s family said. “Talk to them about the situation. I want everyone to know about my son’s situation.”

The Benadryl challenge has been on the radar of federal health officials since at least 2020, when the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about the trend.

“Teens are participating in a dangerous ‘Benadryl Challenge’ on TikTok, which can lead to serious problems and death,” the FDA said at the time.

The agency said it was investigating reports of teen overdoses and urged parents to lock up Benadryl and other diphenhydramine-containing medicines to prevent misuse.

Now, after another cluster of hospitalizations in California, doctors are once again urging families to talk to kids about the risks.

A cruise ship employee who went missing while hiking alone on a Caribbean island has been found dead after a days-long search, authorities said.

Wang Zyuan, 33, a Chinese national, disappeared on May 27 while hiking the Mount Liamuiga trail in St. Kitts and Nevis. He was found dead on June 1, according to the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.

Authorities did not immediately release a cause of death.

“Detailed information is not yet available, and investigations into the circumstances are ongoing,” police said in a Facebook post.

Zyuan was last seen around 10 a.m. local time on May 27 on the Mount Liamuiga hiking trail. Police said he was traveling alone and did not have a guide at the time.

Around 2 p.m. that same day, Zyuan contacted emergency services and reported that he was lost in the Mount Liamuiga Mountains.

At some point, communication with him was cut off.

A search effort was launched, and crews spent several days looking for him before his body was found on June 1.

Police have asked the public not to speculate about what happened while the investigation continues.

The department urged people to “refrain from speculation and to rely only on official sources for accurate information as this matter proceeds.”

Royal Caribbean later confirmed that Zyuan was one of its employees.

“We are saddened to learn a crew member has passed away,” the cruise line said in a statement to USA TODAY. “We appreciate the tremendous efforts of the local authorities and rescue teams, who worked tirelessly over the past several days.”

Mount Liamuiga is a dormant volcano on the island of St. Kitts. Its peak rises 3,793 feet, making it one of the island’s most famous but challenging natural landmarks.

The trail is known for its thick jungle terrain, muddy paths and steep sections. Hiking site AllTrails describes it as “more of a jungle climb than a hike” and warns that it is “not for the faint of heart.”

The site also cautions that the path can be muddy, uneven and easy to lose.

“Be warned, there are numerous areas where you will need to climb steep slopes using the slippery roots of trees as a sort of makeshift ladder,” the hiking site says.

The discovery has brought a tragic end to a search that began with a desperate emergency call from a man lost in the mountains.

Now, investigators are working to determine exactly what happened after Zyuan vanished on the trail.

A college track star with a bright future has died at just 19 years old after a devastating three-car crash in Ohio.

Eva Moran, a pole vaulter at the University of Toledo, was pronounced dead at Marion General Hospital following the Friday evening wreck in Claridon Township, according to local reports.

The crash happened around 5:28 p.m. on May 29, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Authorities said Moran had been driving eastbound when her vehicle allegedly failed to maintain an assured clear distance ahead and struck the left rear of a stopped car driven by 19-year-old Nathaniel Blankenship.

After that collision, Moran’s vehicle reportedly crossed into the westbound lane, where it was struck by another vehicle driven by 23-year-old Dalila Zamudio.

The impact ejected Moran from her vehicle, authorities said.

Blankenship suffered possible injuries, while Zamudio was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

For the University of Toledo community, the loss has been crushing.

“There are no words to adequately express the sadness our team feels over the loss of Eva,” Toledo director of cross country and track and field Andrea Grove-McDonough said in a statement.

Grove-McDonough remembered Moran as a young woman who quickly left a mark on the program.

“She was a remarkable young woman whose energy, determination and kindness made an immediate impact on our program,” she said.

Moran was not just remembered for her talent, but for the way she showed up for her team every day.

“Eva approached every practice, every competition and every challenge with a positive attitude and a genuine love for her teammates,” Grove-McDonough said. “She was eager to learn, eager to improve and proud to represent the University of Toledo.”

Moran, who was from Caledonia, Ohio, had recently delivered one of the strongest performances of her young college career at the Mid-American Conference outdoor championships.

She set a new career best in the pole vault with a mark of 3.57 meters, a score that ranked sixth in school history and earned her a 10th-place finish at the championships.

Before arriving at Toledo in 2024, Moran competed in basketball, cross country and track at River Valley High School.

Her death has left teammates, coaches, classmates and family members mourning a young athlete whose life was just beginning.

“The University of Toledo community is heartbroken by the loss of Eva Moran,” Toledo vice president and director of athletics Tom Moreland said.

Moreland called Moran an outstanding student-athlete whose spirit reached far beyond competition.

“Eva was an outstanding student-athlete whose determination, character and positive spirit made an impact on everyone who had the opportunity to know her,” he said.

Moran is survived by her parents, Alena and Derrek, her brothers Maxxon and Jaxton, and her sister Kyra.

“Our hearts are with Eva’s family, friends, teammates and everyone whose lives she touched,” Grove-McDonough said. “We will continue to honor her memory and the example she set for all of us.”

At only 19, Moran had already proven herself as a driven athlete, a proud teammate and a young woman with a future full of promise.

A Georgia high school community is grieving the heartbreaking death of a 16-year-old football player who fought through a devastating medical battle that left him unable to move and communicating only through blinks.

Loganville High School announced last week that student-athlete Gunnar Redding Bible had died after what the school described as a “long and courageous battle” with Guillain-Barré syndrome, pneumonia and lupus.

The school shared the news on Facebook on behalf of Gunnar’s family, asking the community to keep his loved ones in their prayers.

“Please join us in keeping the family and our community in your thoughts and prayers,” the school wrote.

“After a long and courageous battle, Gunnar transitioned Wednesday,” the post continued. “Thank you, Gunna, for your strength, your heart, and the impact you made on our team and our community. You will never be forgotten.”

Gunnar was a member of the Loganville High School football team, where he was remembered not just as an athlete, but as a young man who left a lasting mark on the people around him.

His mother, Teresa Redding, opened up about his condition in a GoFundMe post last month, explaining that her son had been admitted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, pneumonia and lupus.

“He is only 16, has been an athlete his entire life, and now he is incapable of moving his limbs,” she wrote.

She said Gunnar had been on a respirator since being admitted to the hospital as his family faced mounting medical bills and an unimaginable crisis.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Guillain-Barré syndrome is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves. It can cause weakness, numbness and paralysis. Lupus is also an autoimmune disease, in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs.

As Gunnar’s condition worsened, his mother shared that he was only “able to communicate with blinks.” She also said he suffered kidney complications during his hospitalization.

The fundraiser created to help Gunnar’s family has raised more than $7,000.

His death has shaken Loganville High School and the wider community, where classmates, teammates, coaches and loved ones are now mourning a teenager remembered for his strength and heart.

A balloon release was scheduled over the weekend at Loganville High School in Gunnar’s honor, according to local reports.

Loganville High School head football coach Nic Snowden said the loss has been deeply felt by the team.

“We will all miss you dearly Gunnar,” Snowden said, according to Atlanta News First.

For the Loganville Red Devils football family, Gunnar’s fight will not be forgotten.