Which of the Following is the Most Common Way That

Question

Which of the following is the most common way that a person's microbiome becomes disrupted?
A) Viral illness
B) Bacterial illness
C) Antibiotic use
D) Food allergies

Accepted Answer

Antibiotic use is the most common way a person's microbiome becomes disrupted. Antibiotics not only kill the bacteria causing the infection, but they also disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut and other areas of the body, allowing harmful bacteria like Clostridium difficile to take over. Viral and bacterial illnesses can also disrupt the microbiome, but they are not as common as antibiotic use. Food allergies do not directly impact the microbiome.