What is one consequence of antibiotic resistance in community settings?

Antibiotic resistance in community settings leads to difficulty in treating common infections, making option C the most appropriate choice. When bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics, standard treatments become less effective or ineffective, resulting in prolonged illnesses and increased complications. This situation places a burden on healthcare systems, as patients may require more visits to healthcare providers, increased diagnostic tests, or even hospitalization for conditions that would typically be manageable with antibiotics.

Additionally, the emergence of resistant strains in the community reflects inappropriate antibiotic use, leading to a cycle where common infections, such as urinary tract infections or respiratory infections, become harder to treat. This not only affects individual patients but can also contribute to the broader public health issue of increasing healthcare costs and the need for alternative, often more expensive or toxic, treatments.