What are potential common side effects of antibiotics?

The choice identifying diarrhea and rashes as potential common side effects of antibiotics is accurate because these symptoms are well-documented effects associated with antibiotic use. Antibiotics work by targeting bacteria, but they can also disrupt the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut, leading to gastrointestinal disturbances, which often manifest as diarrhea. This occurs due to the alteration of gut microbiota caused by the medication.

Rashes can also occur as a result of antibiotic intake, as some individuals may have allergic reactions to certain antibiotics, causing skin irritation or rashes. These side effects are recognized in many antibiotic classes, making them significant considerations when prescribing these medications.

Fatigue and weakness, while they can occur under certain circumstances, are not as universally associated with antibiotics as the gastrointestinal symptoms and rashes are. Severe headaches and high fever are less common as direct side effects of antibiotics and are more likely to arise from the infections being treated or other underlying issues rather than from the antibiotics themselves. Thus, diarrhea and rashes remain the more characteristic side effects linked specifically to antibiotics.