Who would have thought it? A cuddly toy in the shape of a virus! These cuddly characters are incredibly endearing and educational too. Each one comes with a detailed scientific description and photograph of what he looks like under the microscope, along with medical tips on how to avoid picking up these bugs in daily life. Children seem to be totally fascinated by them, and it really helps when explaining all about why they are feeling poorly. The perfect gift to accompany a Get Well card. Also a brilliant present for medical students, doctors and nurses etc. You will soon understand why they are becoming amazingly popular! Start collecting now. Facts: Streptococcus bacteria cause about 15 percent of sore throats and viruses cause most of the rest. It can be difficult to tell if your sore throat is being caused by strep or by a virus, but it is important to try. Unlike viral sore throats, strep throats can be cured easily by taking antibiotics such as penicillin. However, if a strep throat is left untreated, it can develop into a more serious disease such as rheumatic fever (which can cause heart problems.) So how can you tell the difference? Viral sore throats are often accompanied by symptoms such as a cough, runny nose, watery eyes, horseness, and diarrhea. Strep throat symptoms include sudden fever, stomach aches and swollen glands. (Strep is also much more common between January and April.) Even so, the only way to be certain is to get a throat culture. If you have a sore throat that lasts for several days (or a fever) you probably should consult a doctor