What is a consequence of antibiotic resistance on treatments?

Antibiotic resistance leads to prolonged illness as infections that were once easily treated become harder to manage. When bacteria evolve to withstand the effects of antibiotics, standard treatments become ineffective, leaving healthcare providers with limited options for effectively addressing infections. This can result in longer recovery times, more extended hospital stays, and an increased risk of complications, which ultimately extends the duration of illness for patients.

In contrast, the other choices reflect outcomes that typically do not arise from antibiotic resistance. For instance, increased effectiveness or improved patient outcomes would not be expected because resistant bacteria complicate treatment plans and can lead to worse health results. Additionally, decreased mortality rates are unlikely to occur as untreated infections due to resistance can lead to severe health implications, including death. This context underscores why prolonged illness is the most fitting consequence of antibiotic resistance on treatments.