What can be a consequence of excessive antibiotic usage?

Excessive antibiotic usage can lead to an increased prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections. When antibiotics are used too frequently or inappropriately, bacteria can adapt and build resistance to those medications. This means that over time, previously treatable infections may become more difficult to manage or may not respond at all to standard antibiotic therapies.

The mechanism behind this phenomenon involves selective pressure: when bacteria are exposed to antibiotics, those that survive are typically the ones that have or develop resistance mechanisms. As a result, these resistant bacteria can proliferate and spread, leading to infections that are more challenging to treat. This not only impacts individual patients but also contributes to broader public health issues, such as increased healthcare costs, longer hospital stays, and an overall greater burden on healthcare systems.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the consequences of excessive antibiotic use. For instance, improved public health outcomes and decreased resistance rates would typically result from responsible use of antibiotics, rather than their excessive use. Likewise, greater efficacy of existing antibiotics stands contrary to the reality of growing resistance, as frequent exposure can undermine the effectiveness of these drugs over time.