Contagious fun: Germs you’ll want to cuddle, not kill

Published 10:26 pm Friday, February 6, 2009

What do you get for the valentine who seems to have everything?

Try flesh-eating bacteria. Or maybe some salmonella.

Giant Microbes can fix you up. The Connecticut company makes plush toys patterned after microscopic images.

By slapping a pair of eyes on its designs, the toymaker softens the image of uncuddly microbes. The flesh-eating bacteria is embroidered with a fork and a knife. Salmonella looks like it’s sporting dreadlocks. Chickenpox bears a striking resemblance to a rooster.

Dozens of designs are available in categories including Maladies, Calamities and, for your least favorite ex, Venereals.

The toy line isn’t limited to no-good critters, though. A category called Corporeals includes brain cells, blood cells or, for your true love, egg and sperm cells.

Many of the designs are available as single Giant Microbes ($8), three mini-Microbes in a box ($13), or one supersize Microbe, standing 15 to 20 inches tall ($25).

For ordering information, go to www.giantmicrobes.com or call 312-643-5388.

Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455 or arathbun@heraldnet.com.