Plush germs.

by Dan Bruno

Awwww, they’re so cute!

The descriptions on these things are interesting. You can tell which diseases are PC to joke about and which aren’t. Compare:

The Flu
Orthomyoxvirus

This guy may not look too tough, but don’t let his cute looks fool you! Once he and his friends show up you’re in for a pretty lousy time. Learn about his weaknesses so you can avoid unwanted encounters. Approximately 13 cm tall (5.5 inches)

H.I.V.
Human immunodeficiency virus

This plush can be used as a visual aid with your health curriculum. Use it to teach your students the fact about H.I.V., such as:

  • H.I.V. kills CD4 cells, or T-helper cells
  • Once the immune system is compromised, a person develops AIDS (acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome)
  • H.I.V. is most commonly transmitted by sexual contact with an infected person
  • Insect bites and sweat carry almost no risk of transmission
  • Studies show that drying H.I.V. infected fluids can reduce viral presence by 90-99%
  • There is no vaccine for H.I.V. and no cure for AIDS

This GIANTmicrobe is appropriate for more serious discussions. It is not included in the set of 17 Plush Germs. Approximately 10 cm tall (4 inches)