12th Feb 2012

Giant Microbes

Catch them while you can

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Also available to pre-order: Brain Cell

Giant Microbes These days everyone's banging on about friendly bacteria. Unfortunately, unless you've got bionic eyes or a pair of super-microscope glasses, you can't see the little blighters. A shame, as brainy biology bods 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 dreaded lurgy fascination that prompted the good people at Plush to create a range of cute and cuddly critters modelled on a whole host of disease-causing germs and viruses.
Giant Microbes

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 coloured 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.

Giant Microbes

Giant Microbes

New:Swine Flu, MRSA and Fat Cell together at last

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.

Giant Microbes


'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.

more infoMore Info

Swine Flu (Influenza A virus H1N1)
  • Facts: H1N1 strains caused roughly half of all human flu infections in 2006. Thanks, Wikipedia!
  • Size dimensions: Approximately 14cm (H) x 8cm (W) x 8cm (D)
Fat Cell (Adipocyte)
  • Facts: An average adult has 30 billion fat cells with a weight of 30 lbs or 13.5 kg. If excess weight is gained as an adult, fat cells increase in size about fourfold before dividing and increasing the absolute number of fat cells present.
  • Size dimensions: Approximately 10cm (H) x 10cm (W) x 10cm (D)
MRSA Super Bug (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)
  • Facts: MRSA was discovered in 1961 here in the UK. It didn't make a major appearance in the United States until 1981 among intravenous drug users. Also, it doesn't really wear a cape - weird!
  • Size dimensions: Approximately 13cm (H) x 10cm (W) x 10cm (D)
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 traveller's disease.) Shigella is named after a Japanese researcher named Shiga who discovered the bacterium in 1897.
  • Size dimensions: Approximately 18cm (H) x 7.5cm (W) x 5cm (D)
Sore Throat (Streptoccoccus Pyogenes)
  • Facts: Streptoccus bacteria cause about 15 percent of sore throats; viruses cause most of the rest!
  • Size dimensions: Approximately 14cm (H) x 8cm (W) x 7cm (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 14cm (H) x 7.5cm (W) x 5.5cm (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 13cm (H) x 8cm (W) x 7.5cm (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 sulphur compounds." These compounds, such as hydrogen sulphide - which smells like rotting eggs - give bad breath its characteristic odour.
  • Size dimensions: Approximately 7cm (H) x 13cm (W) x 8cm (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 9.5cm (H) x 9.5cm (W) x 9.5cm (D)
Kissing Disease (Epstein-Barr Virus)
  • Facts: The Kissing Disease, or mononucleosis, is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (named after is discovers Michael Epstein and Y. M. Barr). More than 95% of the population is infected!
  • Size dimensions: Approximately 8cm (H) x 10cm (W) x 10cm (D)
Red Blood Cell (Erythrocyte)
  • Facts: Red Blood Cells, or erythrocytes contain the hemoglobin that carries oxygen and carbon dioxide around the body. A normal person can have more than 10,000,000,000,000 erythrocytes in their body! So don't fret if a few escape.
  • Size dimensions: Approximately 12cm (H) x 12cm (W) x 4cm (D)
White Blood Cell (Leukocyte)
  • Facts: White Blood Cells are the body's white knights. If an enemy germ invades you, they ride to the rescue and fight to the death.
  • Size dimensions: Approximately 13cm (H) x 16cm (W) x 8cm (D)
Brain Cell (Neuron)
  • Facts: The little grey cells that make up your mind are primarily neurons. You have approximately100 billion of them in your head! The typical neuron is connected to thousands of others forming an inconceivably dense signal-processing network.
  • Size dimensions: Approximately 25cm (H) x 17cm (W) x 3cm (D)
E. Coli (Escherichia coli)
  • Facts: The Escherichia coli bacterium was identified in 1885 by Austrian physician Theodor von Escherich. Its peritrichous flagella (the hairs which can sprout anywhere on its body) can twirl around, propelling it forward at the bacterial-equivalent speed of a torpedo.
  • Size dimensions: Approximately 20cm (H) x 11cm (W) x 3cm (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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Visitor Reviews...

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visitor avatar I received my red blood cell today (intended as a gift) and was incredibly disappointed. It was very flat and very small and had a ridiculous number of frayed stitches making it look terribly untidy and no at all brand new. Disappointed as I now have to give this tatty thing as a present due to last minute shopping.
Peafie, United Kingdom - 20th December 2011
Firebox says: Sorry to hear that Peafie, if you drop us an email we shall see what we can do - info@firebox.com
visitor avatar Do you have the 'cough' microbe because its in the description but not on the list? and personally I think its the best one!
Edd Yeo, Tamworth ,Midlands - 19th December 2011
Firebox says: Hi Edd, unfortunately we have no cough microbes available at this present time.
visitor avatar Just had my Sore Throat through today! I love him, he's so cute! :D I did notice that in the fact label, it spelled diarrhoea as diarrhea! But hey, I love him! I'm going to get more!
Jenny, Bristol - 23rd November 2011
Firebox says: Hi Jenny, good to hear you're happy with your Streptococcus! These are a US company, which explains the spelling of diarrhoea, but good spot! We wouldn't even have known where to start with that word!
visitor avatar Ordered one for my girlfriend's birthday and I must say it's very cute. It is smaller than I expected though and now I'm debating to keep it for myself or actually hand it over!
Wayne, United Kingdom - 7th September 2011
visitor avatar For Mothers Day, I gave my mum Stomach Ache. I think she was suitably impressed. (It was relevant alright?!) Well made product. I will now build her collection for her (lucky girl).
Hollie, Rugby - 14th June 2011
visitor avatar Used my microbes when I went to a local primary school to teach them about Microbiology and what we do in hospitals. Kids loved them! Asked the microbes back for another class. Didn't mention me though.......
Simon, Barnstaple, Devon - 12th April 2011
visitor avatar They are cute. I'm thinking of buying one for my cousin. Should I?
Alasdair Goudie, Laphroaig - 1st April 2011
visitor avatar They're so cute!! My mum is going to order the cope-pod one from the GIANT microbes website!
Toby, Ipswich - 14th March 2011
visitor avatar Hi, I love Giant Microbes and I would love to have them all!!!!! They're all SOOOOO cute and huggable!!! I've ordered a fat cell and I can't wait for it to arrive!!! Loving the free postage !! I do have a question though, I recently went on the official giant microbes website where I found out that they make massive 20 inch ones, will you sell them one day? I love firebox and so do my friends, I love the 20 inch Angry Bird cuddly toys and i'll be hoping for one for my birthday!!!
Andrew, Currie, Edinburgh - 10th March 2011
visitor avatar I am just about to order a common cold microbe for my best friends birthday - perfect as she's studying biomedical science. These are super cute and I want one too, what excellent gifts. I took a look at the official website and I'd love to see the beer and bread yeast one on firebox :D.
Sarah, Oxfordshire - 9th March 2011
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