What is a potential complication of antibiotic therapy?

A potential complication of antibiotic therapy includes the occurrence of secondary infections, such as mouth and vaginal infections. Antibiotics are effective in eliminating harmful bacteria but can also disrupt the balance of beneficial microorganisms in the body. For instance, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics can kill not only the pathogenic bacteria causing an infection but also the normal flora that help maintain healthy environments in areas like the mouth and vagina. This disruption can allow opportunistic organisms, such as yeast, to proliferate, leading to conditions like oral thrush or yeast infections.

Understanding this complication is important for recognizing the signs of such secondary infections and for educating patients on maintaining a healthy balance of flora during and after antibiotic therapy.