Hospital sewers may be breeding grounds for dangerous superbugs, study finds

Hospital wastewater has been shown to promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, potentially making sewer systems hotspots for antimicrobial resistance, according to a new Swedish study published in Nature Communications.

Antibiotics taken by patients can pass through their bodies and enter hospital sewer systems, creating conditions that favor the growth of resistant bacteria.

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria develop the ability to survive drugs designed to kill them, making some infections harder to treat. More than 9.3 million drug-resistant infections occur in the U.S. each year, resulting in more than 39,000 deaths, according to the CDC's 2026 Antimicrobial Resistance Threats Report.

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The researchers conducted a study involving wastewater from 10 hospitals and eight municipal wastewater treatment plants.

They wanted to determine whether hospital wastewater actually promoted the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, rather than simply carrying resistant bacteria from patients.

First, the researchers filtered hospital wastewater to remove existing bacteria, then exposed other bacteria to the filtered water in laboratory experiments. All 10 hospital samples significantly favored the growth of E. coli strains resistant to ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime, two antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections.

None of the eight municipal wastewater samples showed the same effect.

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This suggested that something in the wastewater itself was helping antibiotic-resistant bacteria thrive, according to the researchers.

The team also placed plastic plates in sewer pipes to study bacteria growing on their surfaces. After 30 days, bacteria growing on surfaces inside the pipes were about three times as likely to be resistant to the two antibiotics as bacteria in the surrounding wastewater. This pattern was not observed in municipal sewers.

The researchers also measured antibiotic levels in the wastewater and tested whether those same concentrations helped resistant bacteria grow in laboratory experiments. They found that ciprofloxacin was a major contributor, while cefotaxime also played a role.

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"The discovery [suggests] that hospital sewers could be a spawning ground for bacteria that are difficult to treat with antibiotics," Joakim Larsson, professor of environmental pharmacology at the University of Gothenburg and Director of Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research, told Fox News Digital.

"Knowing where resistant bacteria are promoted — and where they are less likely to be — is crucial when deciding how resources and efforts should be allocated to limit risks for antibiotic resistance development."

The study had several limitations. All sampling sites were in Sweden, and researchers focused primarily on E. coli and a limited number of antibiotics, so the findings may not apply to all bacteria or locations.

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The sewer experiment lasted approximately 30 days, leaving longer-term effects unclear. The study also did not determine whether the growth of resistant bacteria in hospital sewers leads to more infections in patients or surrounding communities.

Although the study did not directly link hospital wastewater to human infections, Larsson said resistant bacteria could potentially reach people through contaminated water.

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"When it rains heavily, treatment plants are typically overloaded, and release untreated or partially untreated wastewater with lots of bacteria," Larsson told Fox News Digital.

"If people get in contact with such waters, they can acquire those bacteria and then continue spreading them from person to person," he went on. "One thing that remains uncertain is how much you need to be exposed for resistant bacteria to colonize your gut or infect you."

The researchers identified two possible approaches to reducing antibiotic resistance in hospital sewers.

One involves using alternative antibiotics that are less likely to pass through patients' bodies unchanged and promote the growth of resistant bacteria in wastewater.

"But – and it is an important but – the patients’ need for antibiotics must not be compromised," Larsson said, emphasizing that equally effective alternatives may not always be available, and patients' medical needs must come first.

The second approach involves treating wastewater at hospitals to remove antibiotics that promote resistance, particularly fluoroquinolones and beta-lactams (two classes of antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections), while also removing harmful bacteria.

Larsson said treating wastewater at municipal plants would likely be less effective because antibiotic concentrations are high enough to favor resistant bacteria, primarily in hospital sewers.

Existing technologies can remove antibiotics from wastewater, but they can be costly and require additional treatment, he noted.

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"When we know more about the drivers, we think it might be possible to develop technical solutions that are targeted and hopefully less expensive," Larsson added.

Fox News Digital reached out to the American Hospital Association requesting comment.

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Ozempic and Zepbound users face 6 rebound risks after stopping, doctor warns

While GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound have reshaped weight management and diabetes control, research shows that many patients stop taking them within a year.

Research has found that cycling off these medications can bring potential rebound risks, ranging from rapid weight regain to the loss of cardiovascular protection.

Dr. Frank Dumont, internal medicine physician and executive medical director at Virta Health in San Francisco, spoke with Fox News Digital about why patients stop taking GLP-1s, the potential risks and how to maintain progress afterward.

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Some patients may stop taking GLP-1 medications because of medical concerns or side effects, while others prefer not to remain on long-term medication, Dumont said.

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea.

"Those types of things can become troublesome enough that people actually have a hard time eating enough food to get good nourishment," he told Fox News Digital. "Working with your physician to make a decision about whether it's right for you to stay on the medicine or not is important."

Other serious side effects, like acute pancreatitis, would prompt immediate discontinuation of the drug.

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"We know that's fairly rare, but if the pancreas becomes involved, that is not a good thing," Dumont said. "It can be very serious. It can even be life-threatening."

Certain GLP-1 medications carry a warning about thyroid tumors based on animal studies, though the risk in humans remains unknown.

These medications should not be used by people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or a condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Dumont outlined six potential risks patients may face after stopping a GLP-1.

The most immediate side effect patients notice after stopping a GLP-1 is the return of intense cravings and a sharp spike in appetite, often referred to as "food noise," according to Dumont.

Many patients assume they can treat GLP-1s like a short-term prescription, taking the drug to hit a target weight or blood sugar goal and then stopping, the doctor noted.

However, major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Obesity Medicine Association, classify obesity as a chronic condition that typically requires ongoing management.

"Unless you have significantly changed what you're doing in terms of the types of foods you're eating, it's likely you'll go back to the same foods you were eating before, and hunger and cravings will go up," Dumont said.

It is typical for GLP-1 users to experience weight regain after quitting, according to Dumont.

In the STEP 1 trial extension, participants regained about two-thirds of the weight they had lost within a year of stopping semaglutide and lifestyle interventions.

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In the SURMOUNT-4 trial for tirzepatide, patients who were switched to a placebo after 36 months of treatment regained more than half the weight they had lost over the following year, even while receiving diet and exercise counseling.

"That's just so devastating for people who felt like they'd finally found a solution that would work," Dumont said.

Biomarkers — which are measurable indicators of what’s happening inside the body, such as blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels — tend to improve while taking a GLP-1, which is beneficial for those with pre-diabetes or diabetes.

When a GLP-1 is stopped, these markers can reverse if not countered with a change in diet, according to Dumont.

Improvements in fatty liver disease may also fade after treatment stops, the doctor said.

"We know that these medications can help to decrease some of that steatotic or fatty liver disease that occurs," he noted. "And when you go off the medicine, if you go back to eating the way you did before, those numbers have a tendency to worsen."

Weight loss while taking GLP-1 medications can include a loss of muscle, raising concerns about body composition and long-term physical function, according to Dumont.

"When people take the GLP-1 medications, they lose weight, but they tend to lose both fat mass and lean muscle mass," he told Fox News Digital.

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In a body-composition study of tirzepatide, about 25% of the weight lost was lean mass, which includes muscle and other nonfat tissue. The remaining 75% was fat.

Dumont expressed concern that patients who regain weight after stopping treatment may not fully replace the muscle they lost.

"So, there's a bit of a ratcheting-down effect if someone is on and off these medications, where they lose fat and muscle, stop the medicine, regain fat, go back on the medicine, and lose fat and muscle," he added.

The doctor emphasized that preserving muscle is important for metabolism, injury prevention and everyday activities.

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In addition to the physical consequences, Dumont noted that stopping a weight-loss drug can take a heavy toll on mental health.

Many patients have spent years cycling through diets and programs without lasting success, often viewing GLP-1s as a final solution, according to the doctor.

When the medication isn't right for them — adding to a history of past weight-loss setbacks — experiencing a "regression on all fronts" can be "really devastating from a mental health standpoint," Dumont said.

"It can make you feel disheartened and like you don’t have the control you thought you did," he added.

An observational study published in BMJ Medicine found that adults with type 2 diabetes who stopped GLP-1 treatment had a higher risk of major cardiovascular events than those who continued. Longer periods without treatment were associated with greater risk.

Dumont noted that the stakes of stopping a GLP-1 go far beyond weight, pointing to the broader risk of losing metabolic benefits.

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While taking a GLP-1, lower inflammation and improved cholesterol and blood sugar levels help reduce the risk of major events like heart attacks and strokes, the doctor said.

"But again, if you stop the medicine and you haven't changed the way that you eat, then all of those numbers can worsen … and that can then increase the risk of those bad things happening — things that can be devastating from a life quality standpoint, but also can shorten your life," he warned.

Reaching metabolic goals and making lasting lifestyle changes may help patients maintain their progress after stopping a GLP-1, according to Dumont.

"We actually have peer-reviewed published data demonstrating that you can indeed stop one of these medications when you reach your metabolic goals," he said.

The Virta-affiliated observational study examined selected patients with type 2 diabetes in a structured nutrition program, so the findings may not apply to all GLP-1 users.

The doctor recommended adopting sustainable eating habits before stopping a GLP-1.

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"The GLP-1 is not the only solution," he said. "It needs to be coupled with ... a way of eating that's going to work for you for the long term that allows you to stop the medicine successfully if you need to."

Dumont recommended working with the prescribing clinician on a plan for stopping treatment and monitoring weight and blood sugar afterward.

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Death reported in E coli outbreak linked to California pumpkin patch as more cases emerge

One person has died in an E. coli outbreak linked to a California pumpkin farm, San Luis Obispo County health officials confirmed Tuesday. Officials have not released the person’s age or identity.

The death follows confirmation of five cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection, potentially originating from Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo, according to an advisory issued by the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department.

"We can confirm that one individual associated with the E. coli outbreak has died. We are sharing this information with the permission of the individual’s family," Tom Cuddy, public information officer for the department, said in a statement to The Tribune of San Luis Obispo on Nov. 10.

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"This is truly a heartbreaking development, and our thoughts are with the family and everyone affected by this outbreak. The entire team at Public Health extends our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones during this difficult time."

In a Nov. 6 statement, the health department said an additional 10 individuals who visited the farm between Oct. 16 and Oct. 26 and developed symptoms have been deemed "suspect cases." 

Tests of water, food and other samples from the farm found some bacteria, including other E. coli strains, but did not detect the strain responsible for the outbreak, officials said.

People who became ill shared possible exposures to corn cups, pumpkins, hay and water not intended for drinking, but officials could not pinpoint the source.

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No farm animals or petting zoos, which are known to be common sources of this type of infection, were accessible to visitors or operating at the farm.

Investigators faced several limitations, including numerous possible sources, items no longer available for testing and delays between exposure and sampling. No further environmental testing is planned, according to the report.

"Based on the findings of our investigation, we believe the risk of additional exposure associated with this incident has passed, and there is no longer an ongoing public health threat," said County Health Officer Dr. Christy Mulkerin.

"Our hearts go out to the families affected by this outbreak. We thank all those who have helped protect our community in response to this outbreak, and we encourage community members to continue practicing good handwashing and food safety to protect themselves and their families."

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Typical symptoms of E. coli include cramping, severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and signs of dehydration, which usually begin within three to 10 days of exposure.

Young children under 10 are typically at the highest risk for complications, which can include hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that damages blood cells and can lead to kidney failure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Tyler Evans, an infectious disease physician and founder of Wellness Equity Alliance in California, warned that diarrhea can lead to dehydration and fatigue.

"The diarrhea is really the key component here, and the stomach cramps," he told Fox News Digital.

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Evans said younger children and older adults can be particularly vulnerable, emphasizing the need to closely watch children younger than 5.

Speaking generally about potential exposure routes in pumpkin patches, Evans said E. coli can spread when bacteria from feces reach someone’s mouth.

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He pointed to potentially contaminated food or water, animal contact and person-to-person transmission as possible transmission routes.

Evans also noted that not all E. coli bacteria cause illness. The confirmed cases in this investigation involve Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.

The health department shared the following safe practices to protect against these types of infections.

Fox News Digital reached out to the county health department for comment. Brookshire Farms previously told Fox News Digital it was reserving comment pending test results.

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New weight-loss drug wipes out chronic knee pain in some patients, researchers say

An experimental weight-loss drug significantly reduced chronic knee pain and improved mobility in people with obesity and knee osteoarthritis, according to two clinical trials led by researchers at Northwestern University.

The trials, which were funded by Eli Lilly and published in The New England Journal of Medicine, evaluated retatrutide, a once-weekly injectable medication developed by Eli Lilly and Co.

Retatrutide, which is not yet FDA-approved, mimics three hormones involved in appetite and metabolism — GLP-1, GIP and glucagon — and has produced substantial weight loss in clinical trials.

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The late-stage trials enrolled more than 1,000 adults who were overweight or obese, did not have diabetes, and experienced painful knee osteoarthritis.

After 68 weeks in one trial and 80 weeks in the other, participants receiving the highest dose of retatrutide lost about a quarter of their body weight on average. A pooled analysis found that roughly two-thirds of those treated with the drug achieved at least a 50% drop in knee pain, compared with 38% of those receiving a placebo.

Beyond pain relief and functional gains, participants experienced reductions in blood pressure, lower blood lipid levels and decreased systemic inflammation, according to the researchers.

Gastrointestinal problems were the most common side effects, and serious adverse events were more common among participants receiving retatrutide than among those receiving placebo.

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Dr. Thomas J. Schnitzer, a professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and lead author of the study, said the findings offer therapeutic potential for specific groups of patients.

"For people who are obese, not diabetic, have radiographically confirmed knee osteoarthritis that has not progressed to bone on bone, and have consistent moderate knee pain, retatrutide treatment has the potential to result in a significant and meaningful reduction in their knee pain and improvement in their physical function while providing cardiometabolic benefit," Schnitzer told Fox News Digital.

While researchers anticipated benefits from the weight reduction, the "complete relief of knee pain" in one of every eight patients taking the drug was a surprise, Schnitzer said.

Painful knee osteoarthritis affects an estimated 15 million Americans, often turning routine activities such as standing, walking and climbing stairs into painful challenges.

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Conventional treatments include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and steroid injections, which often offer only limited or temporary relief, according to the researchers.

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While earlier research has found that losing 5% to 10% of body weight through diet and exercise can ease knee osteoarthritis symptoms, losing more than 10% through those measures alone can be difficult, particularly when knee pain limits exercise, Schnitzer said.

Despite the study's promising outcomes, Schnitzer stressed that there were some limitations.

"People with knee OA who were not overweight or obese were not studied, and individuals who were obese and had more advanced OA were also excluded, so we have no information on them," he said.

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The trials excluded patients who needed knee replacement surgery. Whether retatrutide slows osteoarthritis progression or reduces the need for future joint replacements remains unknown.

For individuals experiencing joint pain who may meet the study criteria, Schnitzer recommended discussing options with a healthcare provider.

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"If someone fits the profile noted above, and they have been unsuccessful at losing weight, they should speak to their physician about the possibility of being treated with a medication that would help them lose weight, as that could also reduce their knee pain as well as provide cardiometabolic benefits," Schnitzer said.

At the same time, he emphasized that medication should not replace healthy daily habits.

"Before starting pharmacologic treatment for knee pain, people who are overweight should try diet and exercise and consider interventions such as physical therapy," Schnitzer advised.

"Also, even for people on weight-loss medications, exercise is an important part of any treatment plan to maintain as much muscle as possible."

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Woman claims hospital injected wrong drug into her spine during knee surgery, leaving her unable to walk

A Nashville woman is seeking $150 million from Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown, alleging that a medication error during knee replacement surgery left her with a permanent spinal cord injury.

Linda Gilbert, who was 78 at the time of the incident, alleges that hospital staff injected the wrong drug into her spinal canal during the procedure.

A total of four surgery patients received potassium phosphate instead of the intended anesthetic, mepivacaine, on Aug. 14, according to an Aug. 21 statement published on the hospital system’s website.

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The Nov. 6 complaint, which was provided to Fox News Digital by Gilbert’s attorney, alleges the injection severely injured her spinal cord and nerves, leaving her with incomplete paraplegia, severe weakness in both legs and the inability to walk, drive or live independently.

Gilbert also developed shock and respiratory failure requiring a ventilator, according to the filing. The lawsuit alleges that the patient’s injuries are permanent and says she remained in inpatient rehabilitation at a spinal cord injury center in Atlanta at the time it was filed.

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Gilbert’s lawsuit claims that staff continued using syringes from the same batch after two earlier patients reported burning pain. It also alleges medication preparation and verification failures, along with delays in treatment.

The patient is seeking $50 million in compensatory damages and $100 million in punitive damages.

Potassium phosphate is used to treat low phosphorus levels and to supply phosphorus in intravenous nutrition. Its prescribing information specifies that it must be diluted and administered through a vein.

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The label warns that excessive doses or overly rapid intravenous administration can cause dangerous heart rhythms, cardiac arrest, seizures and death, according to prescribing information available on NIH’s DailyMed. Those warnings concern intravenous use, rather than injection into the spinal canal as alleged in Gilbert’s lawsuit.

In a statement published by local NBC affiliate WSMV on Nov. 9, Ascension Saint Thomas said it was aware of the complaint and was cooperating with the legal process, but could not share additional details because the case was ongoing.

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"Our hearts remain with the four patients and families impacted by the recent medication error that occurred at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown," the hospital wrote in a Sept. 11 statement on its website.

In a Sept. 16 update, the hospital said it was working with an independent quality consultant to "guide and verify the full scope of our corrective actions and process enhancements," adding that it remained "committed to learning from this and upholding the standards of patient safety, quality, and compassionate care."

About 790,000 total knee replacements are performed each year in the U.S., according to the American College of Rheumatology.

Most patients experience substantial pain relief and improved mobility, with only 2% reporting serious complications, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states.

Medication safety recommendations emphasize the importance of clear labeling of drugs, including their names and concentrations, and reading the label to correctly identify each medication before administration. 

Fox News Digital reached out to Ascension Saint Thomas, Gilbert’s attorney, the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices for comment.

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Common heart pill under scrutiny for older patients as study weighs risks of stopping

Some older adults may be able to stop taking statins with little added risk over two years, but a new study raises concerns about longer-term safety.

That’s according to a randomized clinical trial that was presented on Nov. 7, 2026, at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Chicago, and published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Statins are prescription medications that lower LDL, or "bad," cholesterol by reducing how much cholesterol the liver makes. They are known to help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

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The study – conducted by researchers from the University of Bern in Switzerland, the University of California, San Francisco, and other institutions – included 1,880 adults aged 70 years and older, all of whom were taking statins to prevent a first heart attack or stroke.

All participants had at least two chronic medical conditions, but did not have established cardiovascular disease or previous cardiovascular events. Half of the participants stopped taking statins, and the other half continued.

After two years, the added risk from stopping statins was small enough to fall within the limits researchers had set for the study. However, that did not mean stopping carried no added risk.

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Over the full follow-up, which lasted about two years for the typical participant and up to four years for some, about 13% of those assigned to stop statins had a heart attack, an ischemic stroke or died from any cause, compared with 9% assigned to continue treatment.

The study’s safety monitoring board also recommended that participants who were assigned to stop statins discuss restarting treatment with their healthcare team, according to the American College of Cardiology.

For other outcomes, the researchers found no meaningful differences between the two groups in reported quality of life, muscle pain, falls, or loss of muscle mass and strength.

Dr. Christopher Kelly, a UNC Health cardiologist, emphasized that continuing statins did not worsen reported muscle pain or quality of life in the trial.

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Although guidelines support lowering high cholesterol earlier in life, the benefits of continuing statins in older age are less certain, said study author Dr. Rita F. Redberg, a cardiology professor at the University of California, San Francisco, in a press release.

Earlier studies found no difference in mortality after adults 70 and older stopped statins for primary prevention, she noted.

"One study suggested quality of life improvements after stopping statins," Redberg said, adding that her team explored whether stopping was safe for older adults taking the drugs to prevent a first cardiovascular event.

The study had several limitations. About 14% of participants did not stick with their assigned treatment plan. Some who were told to stop taking statins resumed them, while others assigned to continue treatment stopped taking the drugs, according to the researchers.

The findings also may not apply to all older adults, as the study was limited to people aged 70 and older who had multiple chronic health conditions but no history of heart disease or stroke.

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Although some participants were followed for up to four years, the study primarily assessed outcomes over about two years. Longer follow-up is needed to determine how stopping statins affects patients over many years.

"This small, increased risk of cardiovascular events means that one cannot make a general recommendation about stopping statins in this patient population," Redberg said.

"There should be shared decision-making between the patient and the healthcare professional to know if it is appropriate for an individual to discontinue the medication. In general, however, discontinuation is safe for most people who are in this age group and without a previous CVD event."

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Kelly, who was not involved in the study, noted that a healthy 70-year-old could live another 20 years, leaving questions about the effects of stopping treatment over that longer period.

The doctor also emphasized individualized decisions based on overall health and expected lifespan, noting that he "errs on the side of caution" with his own patients.

"I typically recommend that they continue taking it unless they have specific concerns about that medication, such as side effects, or if they are taking a lot of medicines, and they're just really eager to stop taking one of them."

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Viral ‘heightmaxxing’ trend has teen boys taking cancer drugs to grow taller, doctors warn of risks

Medical experts are warning of a dangerous new social media trend known as "heightmaxxing," amid reports that teenagers are taking black-market cancer medications in an effort to grow taller.

Adolescents, primarily teenage boys, are reportedly turning to erdafitinib — often referred to online as "ERDA" or "Erta" — a targeted prescription drug approved to treat advanced bladder cancer.

Teenagers are reportedly experimenting with the prescription medication after encountering online discussions suggesting it could increase height.

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"It’s extremely concerning that teenagers are experimenting with powerful cancer medications in an attempt to grow taller," Dr. Stephanie Widmer, a New York City-based emergency medicine physician and Fox News medical contributor, told Fox News Digital.

"These drugs were developed to treat serious medical conditions, not to enhance physical appearance, and taking them without a legitimate medical indication or physician supervision can have devastating consequences."

The drug maker, Johnson & Johnson, pushed back against the practice in a statement to Rolling Stone, emphasizing that the medication has never been approved to stimulate height growth and that its safety and effectiveness have not been established for any pediatric or adolescent use.

Medical research has documented unexpected growth spurts in children receiving erdafitinib for brain tumors. A 2024 study published in Hormone Research in Paediatrics described accelerated growth in two pediatric patients, while a separate case report documented a teenager who grew more than 5 inches during treatment but developed serious skeletal complications.

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Physicians caution that these spurts do not equal healthy skeletal growth. Dr. Jessica Gray, a family physician in Lubbock, Texas, warned that forced, rapid growth can trigger dangerous structural problems, including premature growth plate damage and bone fractures.

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The drug works by blocking specific cellular signaling pathways involved in cancer cell growth, Widmer shared during an appearance on Fox News' "America's Newsroom."

Those same pathways also play a role in bone development, which may help explain why some pediatric patients experienced unexpected growth during treatment.

Widmer noted that height is overwhelmingly governed by genetics, and biological shortcuts do not exist. Once growth plates close near the end of puberty, medications cannot reopen them, meaning older adolescents taking the compound are incurring catastrophic health hazards without any chance of gaining height, she said.

"One of the biggest concerns is that these medications can cause serious side effects, including potentially permanent vision damage, elevated phosphate levels and other metabolic abnormalities," Widmer said.

"We’re talking about adolescents whose bodies are still developing, and exposing them to these risks for a cosmetic goal is particularly troubling."

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Other warning signs and side effects linked to the medication include skeletal pain — especially in the hips or knees — as well as mouth sores, loose nails and skin disorders.

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The trend has also raised concerns about the influence of social media on teenagers' decisions about their health. Widmer noted that online discussions about physical appearance and self-improvement can expose young men to potentially unsafe practices that lack medical evidence.

"Parents need to understand that this goes beyond teenagers being insecure about their height," the doctor said.

"We’re talking about young people potentially obtaining prescription cancer medications and experimenting with them outside of medical supervision. If a child has concerns about their growth, that conversation belongs in a pediatrician’s office, not on an internet forum."

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Doctors advise parents to watch for symptoms such as unusual joint pain or unexplained physical changes, and to speak with their children if they suspect they are using medications obtained online.

Teenagers concerned about their height or growth should consult a pediatrician before considering any medication.

"We should be encouraging teenagers to prioritize their health, not teaching them to gamble with it," Widmer said. "No amount of additional height is worth risking permanent damage to your vision or other serious and potentially unknown medical complications."

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