How Long term antibiotic therapy can cause new infection?

Long-term antibiotic therapy can disrupt the natural balance of the microbiome, leading to the overgrowth of resistant bacteria or fungi. This disruption can create an environment where opportunistic pathogens thrive, potentially causing new infections such as Clostridium difficile colitis or yeast infections. Additionally, prolonged use of antibiotics can reduce the body's ability to fight off infections, further increasing the risk of developing new ones.