Giant Microbes
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These days everyone's going on about friendly bacteria. Unfortunately, unless you've got bionic eyes or a pair of super-microscope glasses, you can't see the little buggers. A shame, as brainy biology grads reckon these invisible-to-the-eye micro organisms are omnipresent. In fact, there are probably several million swarming around your head right now. Urgh!
Perhaps it's this new wave of infectious disease fascination that prompted the good people at Plush to create a range of cute and cuddly critters modeled on a whole host of disease-causing germs and viruses.
Plush Microbes have got to be the most innovative soft toys we've seen in ages because they look just like the nasty little critters on which they are based. Sort of. (Well they are a million times bigger, a few thousand times cuter, brightly colored and furry). You can judge for yourself as each cutesy Microbe comes complete with a photo of its real-life counterpart, along with fascinating information about the critter in question.
Plush Microbes make great gifts for anyone who's feeling under the weather, especially if you match the microbe to the malady. We're currently stocking Stomach Ache (Shigella), Sore Throat (Streptococcus), Cough (B. Pertussis), The Flu (Orthomyoxvirus), Bad Breath (Porphyromonas Gingivalis), Common Cold (Rhinovirus) and Kissing Disease (Epstein-Barr). Actually, looking at the last two Microbes, maybe that's not such a good idea.
'Urgh' and 'aah' in equal measure, Microbes are infectiously cute and great reminders of the invisible universe around us. So catch one soon before the inevitable Microbe epidemic totally ravages our stock. Now if you'll excuse us, we're off to wash our hands. Twice.
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Stomach Ache (Shigella dysenteriae)
- Facts: A lot of stomach aches are caused by gas or acid in your stomach. But others are caused by microbes. Shigella is one of the more common culprits! (It is particularly common in developing countries and is a major cause of traveler's disease.) Shigella is named after a Japanese researcher named Shiga who discovered the bacterium in 1897.
- Size dimensions: Approximately 7" (H) x 3" (W) x 2" (D)
Sore Throat (Streptoccoccus Pyogenes)
- Facts: Streptoccus bacteria cause about 15 percent of sore throats; viruses cause most of the rest!
- Size dimensions: Approximately 5½" (H) x 3" (W) x 2¾" (D)
Cough (Bordetella Pertussis)
- Facts: Coughs are very common and can be triggered by a variety of factors including smoking, allergies and even heartburn. But many coughs, particularly in young children, are caused by microbes.
- Size dimensions: Approximately 5½" (H) x 3" (W) x 2¼" (D)
The Flu (Orthomyxoviridus)
- Facts: The flu, a.k.a. influenza, is a respiratory infection caused by strains of othomyxoviridae. The word "influenza" comes from the Italian word for influence - back when the stars were thought to influence the start of an epidemic!
- Size dimensions: Approximately 5" (H) x 3" (W) x 3" (D)
Bad Breath (Porphyromonas Gingivalis)
- Facts: Most cases of halitosis are caused by microbes such as Porphyromonas gingivalis! Between three and four hundred types of microbes typically call the human mouth home. Most are harmless. But a few produce "volatile sulfur compounds." These compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide - which smells like rotting eggs - give bad breath its characteristic odor.
- Size dimensions: Approximately 2¾" (H) x 5" (W) x 3" (D)
The Common Cold (Rhinovirus)
- Facts: There are over 250 different kinds of cold viruses! But rhinovirus is by far the most common. (Rhino means "nose" in Greek - think rhinoceros.) With over 100 different varieties, rhinoviruses are responsible for almost 35 percent of colds.
- Size dimensions: Approximately 3¾" (H) x 3¾" (W) x 3¾" (D)
Kissing Disease (Epstein-Barr Virus)
- Facts: The Kissing Disease, or mononucleosis, is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (named after its discoverers Michael Epstein and Y. M. Barr). More than 95% of the population is infected!
- Size dimensions: Approximately 3" (H) x 4" (W) x 4" (D)
Cleaning instructions:
Surface washable: Simply sponge with a mixture of warm water and mild soap. Allow to air dry, then brush to restore fabric to its original fullness.
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Chicken Dance
Four year old Daniel dressed up as a microbiologist doing the chicken dance
Daniel Willemsen, Waterloo, Canada
- 26th Feb 2008
Video URL:
http://www.firebox.com/video/1395
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 | What you said... |
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I love Giant Microbes!!! They are amazing and so cute!
Tanya, Bournemouth - Dec '08 |
Firebox, these things are fantastic. But, I think you should change their slogan to 'Gotta Catch em all!'.
Jack Norris, Basildon - Dec '08 |
Just bought one of the awesome little microbes. . Common cold, and cant wait to give it to my sister for her birthday. . She's currently studying biology at Uni. Though I'm quite reluctant to give it to her. . It's just sooo cute =D.
Sarah, Cheshire - Oct '08 |
Bought 3 of the little blighters 2 weeks ago now and forget to review one. Gave one to my sister (Kissing Disease) one to my dog (Cough) and one for me, Bad breath! It suits me because I get it a lot! Kelly (my sister who is 11, ) thinks it's great and my dog, Mr. Fluff, thinks Cough is great! I'll be gettin' more! thanks.
Colin Mcartney, New Jersey - Oct '07 |
Will be the perfect gift for someone studying microbiology/virology. I had to buy one since I start the degree this year.
Andrew, Dartford - Jun '07 |
Me AGAIN!
So Anyways... I ended up buying the bad breath for my daughter too, so now she has got that to her collection. Including my husbands common cold. And I have now just placed an order for my son - the cough!
Keep an eye out for the pic, which is coming soon... these things are cool!
Zee Allen, Leicester, UK - May '07 |
MY husband got the sore throat for me, and it is sooooooo cute!
Thing is, my 4 year old daughter wants 'him' and has also named him Plum!
Guess it's not mine anymore, is there any way firebox can send me a free one? Thought not - Doh!
Zee Allen, Leicester, UK - May '07 |
Bought Soar Throat & Bad Breath for my mum. She said I could have one, so I chose Bad Breath. He stinks! please, clean your teeth! Bad Breath: NO!
JJ, England - Jan '07 |
My Sore Throat arrived the other day, and I think its absalotelybfdsghk (can't spell) pointless! We just sat there, facing each other, but then I grabed it and started hugging it to death (dont know why, guess I just felt sorry for that diseased little thing). I think microbes are completely and utter pointless things, but you cant help feeling sorry for the little fellas, can you?
Fred Trubridge, Cuckfield - Jan '07 |
I absolutely love these!! So nerdy and yet insanely cute! Got a Stomach Ache for my birthday last year and I cant wait to find out what I'm gunna catch this year....
Jo, Durham - Nov '08 |
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