After spending many hours in a microbiology lab in college – an activity I very much enjoyed and look back on fondly -I was able to accurately identify parasite eggs, fungi, and much more through a microscope.
One of the labs consisted of swabbing the nose of our lab partner and inoculating a petri dish to determine if he or she was a carrier of Staphylococcus aureus. S. aureus can cause mild skin irritations and more serious illnesses such as Toxic Shock Syndrome and inflammation of the heart. If you’re wondering, I don’t actually know if I’m a carrier because my lab partner eagerly volunteered her nose for this lab exercise.
There was one Gram-positive strain of Staphylococcus aureus that I knew I would never want to encounter. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus or more commonly referred to as MRSA.
However, Matt has not been as fortunate and encountered firsthand what it’s like to battle an antibiotic resistant bacterium. A few years ago, while enlisted in the Marines, Matt discovered a small red spot on his arm. As the spot turned into what appeared to be the first stages of septicemia, Matt continued to work with military doctors to treat his arm. Nothing was working and he was due to ship out of the country soon. Although incredibly ill, Matt still shipped out to Japan on his scheduled date and continued treatment with doctors at his new base. I’ll spare you the details of his arm’s condition. As one of the last resorts, he was given Rifampin. The drug made him incredibly sick, but with no other choices available, it was his only option.
Today he likes to tell people the story – complete with gross details – about his encounter with MRSA. When I learned that a company called GIANTmicrobes carries a plush MRSA doll, I knew it would be a perfect gift for Matt.
Many of the microbes are available in a range of sizes: 5″-7″, 15″-20″ or mini. I requested the 5″-7″ plush doll for Matt.
The MRSA plush microbe came with a description card that explained what MRSA is and had a cute tagline, “So be a superhero: stay clean and follow your doctor’s orders.” This life-threatening “superbug” looks pretty cute as a plush doll, doesn’t he?
Some of the GIANTmicrobes Originals include the microscopic aquatic organism Rotifer, the allergy Hay Fever, and Tick. You can easily navigate their site to locate the microbe of your choice by a common name, scientific name, or category.
If you’re looking for a graduation gift, the plush neuron Brain Cell or the Graduation Brain Cell Musical Doll are available for purchase. The musical doll plays Pomp and Circumstance. Their products would also be useful for explaining the microbial world to children. An entire line of merchandise including Christmas ornaments, mugs, and microbe dolls that make sound are also available for purchase.
Learn more about GIANTmicrobes
www.giantmicrobes.com
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Win a GIANTmicrobes Original Plush Doll
GIANTmicrobes is giving the readers of Our Virginia Home the chance to win one of the GIANTmicrobe Originals plush dolls.
Mandatory Entry
What GIANTmicrobes Originals plush doll would you most like to win and who would you give it to? – Enter your answer in the blog comments AND Rafflecopter form.
All other entry methods are optional.
Ends 11:59PM on June 7, 2012. US Only, 18+
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I received the GIANTmicrobes Originals plush doll for the purpose of a review. However, my honest opinion was expressed.
I would like to win the sea sparkle to give to my dad.
Mono.. to mess w my BF
I would use them to explain to my brothers how they are highly contagious and despite how cute they are in giant microbe form they are not fun to deal with
I love the Chickpox, I have little ones just the age to catch it and it would help explaining the virus.
My friend had MRSA (she’s just fine now) and now it’s a running joke- I’d love to give that one to her! haha
Red blood cell, for me!
I’d use it as a conversation piece for kids to understand the disease which I have – pernicious anemia…and before I was correctly diagnosed, my red blood cells were unable to carry enough oxygen to my heart, muscles and other tissues.
Adorable. Thanks for the chance to win. I’d let my mom pick but I’m leaning towards the Chickpox or Mono.
My mom’s a teacher so she would use this doll to have fun and let kids know the ugly side of these organisms too!
fave: toxic mold for my mom
xoxo
I would like to win the common cold for my daughter
I would give to my son.
the brain cell or nerve cell for my hubby
the tick
They are all cute, but I love the common cold because it is blue and the kissing one
The Common Cold one, although all of them are awesome! It would be great to help teach my curious 3 year old about the germs that cause her to be sick!
I’d like to win the sperm cell for a friend.
I would pick the mono…I would use the GIANTmicrobes to explain the germs and possible virus’s to my Autistic students and why they shouldn’t put things or dirty hands in their mouths,share cups or kiss each other.
I would get the Common Cold and keep it for myself
I’d give my husband rabies since he tests for it at work
I’d use it to educated kids because they can’t “see” diseases so this shows them what a disease actually looks like so they know why the need to wash their hands
I’d love the Brain Cell for my daughter. He’s adorable!
Children most commonly learn through interactive play. GIANTmicrobes (especially the brain cell which I would love) would help my daughter visualize some of the cells of the human anatomy better than books. Joining up one or more of the brain cells and playing with her hand being the “thought impulses” jumping from cell to cell will help her visualize more how a through “runs through your mind.”
The common cold for me!!
MRSA for my friend
Smooch sounds cool!
Forgot to say that I would give it to Little Miss Gracie!