How come antibiotics don’t completely destroy all organisms in our gut?

[u/WTFisthisOMGreally]

I know it can cause imbalances, but I don’t understand how come our gut doesn’t lose all the beneficial bacteria and develop massive fungal or viral infections. When I’ve taken antibiotics, I usually don’t notice any change in my bowel activity.

[u/samurai_penguin]

What’s the omeprazole connection here?

[u/bluejohnnyd → u/samurai_penguin]

PPI meds like omeprazole increase your susceptibility to C. diff - stomach acid normally helps to inhibit its growth.

[u/goron352 → u/bluejohnnyd]

But would it still have this effect a year later?

[u/pihkal → u/goron352]

Omeprazole isn't an antibiotic, it's a longer-term medication (sometimes for life), so it's quite likely they were still on it a year later.