GIANTmicrobes Review and Giveaway

About Giantmicrobes

GIANTmicrobes were introduced in 2002 and are plush dolls that look like tiny microbes, only a million times bigger. Each GIANTmicrobe comes with an image and information about the real microbe it represents. They are great for educators and pediatricians and make great learning tools for both children and parents. They also make amusing gifts for science buffs and anyone with a sense of humor. GIANTmicrobes are available in drug stores, bookstores, science museums, children’s museums, hospital gift shops, educational catalogs, and general gift shops worldwide. You can subscribe to the GIANTmicrobes newsletter to receive general announcements about the company, including new product releases, special pricing discounts, and other important updates. You can also connect with Giantmicrobes on Facebook and Twitter.

I received a GIANTmicrobes Panorama Tick & Lyme:  Tall Grass set. These are two cute and cuddly little guys (in plush form anyway). They each come with a tag that includes a little information about them but on the bottom of the box there is more detailed information. I really learned a lot about tick (Ixodes scapularis) and Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) from reading this information.

For instance, did you know that ticks actually transmit Lyme disease and it's one of the most commonly reported tick-borne illnesses? Also, old folk remedies for removing ticks such as using heated pins, matches, or gasoline are best avoided because these can actually provoke the tick into regurgitating part of its meal and infection along with it. I can't tell you how many times growing up that I saw my Granny take a match to a tick that she found on her old dog Blue. Oops! I guess Granny was lucky these critters didn't give her Lyme disease (or tularemia or Rocky-Mountain Spotted Fever which I learned they can also transmit). Common symptoms for Lyme disease include aches, fevers, and fatigue but the signature symptom is an expanding bull's-eye rash, which can appear anywhere from a few days to a month after the bite. If untreated, Lyme disease can lead to arthritis, facial paralysis, meningitis, and even cognitive disruptions such as memory loss and mood changes. So basically if you're in a wooded area you should keep an eye out for ticks or you'll end up a target.

I found the GIANTmicrobes Panorama Tick & Lyme:  Tall Grass set to be very educational and it would be a great addition to any classroom, pediatrician's office, or child's room. With summer fast approaching and summer vacation underway, this means kids will be playing outside more often and this set is a fun way to educate them on the importance of staying away from tall grass and wooded areas. This would also make a fun gift for a hunter, park ranger, etc., anyone who frequents grassy, wooded areas.

Giveaway

One Precisely Mine reader will win a panorama set of their choice from GIANTmicrobes. 

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