Immune to Antibiotics

Persuasive Essay # 114007

Agricultural Studies
Medical and Health > Pharmacy
Medical and Health > Public Health Issues

This paper explores the misuse of antibiotics in animals and humans that has led to antibiotic resistant superbugs.

1,743 words () | 13 sources | MLA | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the rise of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), which is a superbug arising from the often unnecessary usage of antibiotics. The paper focuses on the rise of antibiotics in livestock and their feedlots and also notes the often unnecessary prescriptions of antibiotics by physicians. The paper asserts that if we don't change now, there may be more bacterial infections that become immune to treatment with antibiotics.

From the Paper:

"In 1968 the first case of MRSA was discovered. The patient was of middle age, had been in the hospital for quite some time, and had just had surgery. The patient had been on antibiotics to prevent infection. Little did the doctors know, but the infection was developing despite the powerful dosage of antibiotics, and MRSA was formed.
"Since 1968, there has been an alarming increase of MRSA reported each year. We, as a society, have allowed antibiotics to get the upper hand - creating a situation that is in need of immediate and thorough review."

Sample of Sources Used:

"Antibiotic." Roget's New Millennium(TM) Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.3.1). Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. 08 Apr. 2008. <Thesaurus.com http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/antibiotic>.
Dowshen, Steven. "Making Sense of MRSA." KidsHealth. Oct. 2007. Nemours Foundation. 13 Mar. 2008 <http://www.kidshealth.org/research/mrsa.html>.
Early, P.j. "Antibiotic Resistant "Superbug" on the Rise." HealthLink: Medical College of Wisconsin. 25 May 2005. Medical College of Wisconsin. 13 Mar. 2008 <http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/1031002378.html>.
"For Your Information: Facts About Tylosin." Health Canada. 18 Nov. 2002. Health Canada. 13 Mar. 2008 <http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/vet/faq/tylosin_facts-renseignements_11-2002_e.html>.
Hutjens, Michael F. "Use of Rumensin in Dairy Diets." 27 May 2007. 12 Mar. 2003 <http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/dairy/joeharrison/data/publications/Rumensinfinal.pdf>.