Posted on 11/19/2009 1:53:29 PM PST by Stoat
The bizarre creatures, designed to look like the bugs that cause common colds, sore throats and coughs have become the latest craze.
The fluffy GiantMicrobes are the same shape and colour as the real thing but one million times bigger.
They have been given human features such as eyes, a mouth and nose to make them more appealing to young children.
The Chickenpox microbe even looks a bit like a chicken.
The company that makes them says they "make great learning tools, as well as amusing gifts for anyone with a sense of humour."
They have also become popular as a get well soon gift to people suffering from the condition the soft toy represents.
Each of the toys which sell for £6.95 comes with information about the microbe and a magnified image so people can compare the likeness.
The range of 75 toys includes stomach ache (Shigella), sore throat (Streptococcus), cough (B. Pertussis), flu (Orthomyoxvirus) and kissing disease (Epstein-Barr).
Parenting expert Catherine Hanly, who has a seven-year-old daughter, said the scientific theme combined with a friendly look meant they appealed to children and adults.
She said: "My daughter's godfather is a research scientist and if he finds out he can buy her the giant fluffy toy representing penicillin or the common cold, it'll probably be under her tree this Christmas."
James Pritchard-Barrett, who distributes the toys in the UK, said the company was now looking to create a SpongeBob SquarePants-style cartoon featuring the characters.
He said: "Their popularity is spreading like a pandemic - not just among children but health professionals and medical students too.
"Doctors find it breaks the ice when explaining conditions to patients and environmental health workers can show people the effects of unhygienic practices.
"Each GiantMicrobe comes with a card that explains what the microbe is, what it does and how it can be avoided.
"This year we have sold a lot of swine flu and E.coli toys because those viruses have been in the news a lot."
Harvard University graduate Drew Oliver designed the first few toys as a get well gift that could be given to someone who was ill.
Toy ... the E.coli bug
This little piggy had swine flu, this little piggy had none.
One of the most common venereal diseases, Gonorrhea can be easily cured -- or avoided. Know the risks.
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(Gonorrhea Petri Dish gift pack)
The tropics have coconuts, soft beaches, clear water, shiny fish, colorful birds, steel drums, umbrella drinks. And Malaria.
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(Malaria Petri Dish gift pack)
Are you tired? Working too hard? Feeling a bit cranky? Do you think you might have sleeping sickness? This little fellow will sing you a lullaby you'll never forget.
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(Sleeping Sickness Petri dish gift pack)
Feeling achy? Cranky? Tired? This little guy rides the tick-express straight to your favorite vacation spot. He'll give you a weekend away you'll never forget.
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(Lyme disease Petri dish gift pack)
“cuddle with a Bacillus” ping.
It was hairpin county and switchback city
One of 'em looked like a can full of worms
Another one looked like malaria germs
I never knew just what a malaria germ looked like. Until now.
I'll bet you never knew that Malaria has its own little matching outfit either
I asked for these for Christmas a few years ago. “ThinkGeek.com” has them. Didn’t get any, though.
Ok, that’s just wrong. I love it. :-)
Hillary?
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