Final answer:
Shorter duration of antibiotic treatment may not fully eradicate the infection and can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the same antibiotic treatment is given for 5 days compared to a longer duration, there are a few expected outcomes. Firstly, a shorter duration of treatment may not completely eradicate the target organisms, resulting in incomplete clearance of the infection. Additionally, a shorter treatment duration may select for drug-resistant variants within the target population and the patient's microbiota, leading to the development of antibiotic resistance.
For example, in the case of tuberculosis (TB), patients who discontinue treatment once symptoms are relieved but before completing the recommended course of treatment have a higher risk of recurrent TB infection. This occurs because the shorter treatment duration allows for the survival and proliferation of drug-resistant strains.
It is important to complete the full course of antibiotic treatment as prescribed by a healthcare professional to maximize effectiveness and minimize the risk of antibiotic resistance.