"During a time that I should have been planning for my son's college graduation and helping him prepare for his future, I was burying my only son, who only days before had been the picture of health” (IDSA Communications Staff). Theresa Drew, mother of Ricky Lannetti, tells the story of her son’s fatal experience. Ricky Lannetti was a strong and athletic twenty-one year old. Ricky had contracted Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), or better known as the “superbug”. He had reported having common flu-like symptoms leading up to the climax of this infection. Ricky’s story is one that represents how random and fatal these bacterial diseases can be. Resistance, like what Ricky experienced, is something that is inevitable and happens everywhere. For example, the society in Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451 had become comfortable with being lonely and disconnected. People in this society were resistant to any ideas that may have been able to save them from this seclusion. Just like the resistance in Bradbury’s novel, bacteria resistance is a large problem in today’s society. When antibiotics are used properly they can save thousands of lives, yet …show more content…
Even though antibiotics can be very beneficial in curing infections and saving lives, the careless, mishandled use of these drugs are a major threat to society. Resistance comes with evolution and humans need to be careful not speed up this process. Just like Ricky Lannetti, even the healthiest of people can be affected by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Bacteria resistance is not slowing down anytime soon, so it is up to the human race to become responsible for their applications of these powerful drugs. Theresa Drew was able to voice a warning after the death of Ricky, “My only son was killed on December 6th, 2003. His killer is still on the loose. It is called Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus