A mother is warning parents to stop friends and family from kissing their babies after her son lost sight in one eye due to a virus.
Two-year-old Juwan lost vision in his left eye after contracting herpes from a kiss. The virus caused a blister, which led to a 4mm hole in his cornea. This open wound resulted in multiple infections, and despite doctors’ efforts, the damage was too severe.
To protect his eye, doctors had to sew his eyelids shut. Now, his family is speaking out to help others avoid the same situation as they prepare for a major surgery to save his eyesight.
Juwan’s condition started in August last year when he was just 16 months old. His parents thought he had a simple eye infection and took him to the doctor. He was prescribed antibiotics and sent home.
However, things took a turn for the worse. Two days later, his mother, Michelle Saaiman, noticed something unusual in his eye.
“It looked like something was growing inside,” she shared on Facebook.
Even more concerning, Juwan didn’t seem to feel anything when he touched his eye. He scratched it without flinching. His parents knew then that it was serious.
Doctors ran tests and discovered that Juwan had a cold sore in his eye caused by the herpes simplex virus. Since both parents tested negative for the virus, doctors suspected that someone with an active cold sore unknowingly transferred it to him through a kiss or touch.
Juwan’s mother was shocked by the diagnosis. “I thought it was a joke,” she told Metro.
Despite weeks of medical treatment, the damage had already been done. Juwan lost all sensation in his eye, and his brain eventually stopped recognizing it. The protective gel in his eye evaporated, causing it to dry out completely.
Now, doctors plan to transfer a nerve from his leg to his eye socket. If successful, he might qualify for a cornea transplant that could restore some vision.
His parents are focusing on saving his eye and preventing further infections. They also want to raise awareness.
“This virus caused so much harm. It’s not worth the risk,” his mother said.
She urged parents to be cautious and stop others from kissing their babies.
Cold sores are common, with some studies estimating that 70% of people carry the virus. While harmless to most adults, they can be dangerous for babies with developing immune systems.
If the virus spreads unchecked, it can affect vital organs and lead to severe complications. The first four weeks of a baby’s life are the riskiest.
Adults with cold sores should avoid kissing babies and practice good hand hygiene. The NHS advises parents to watch for signs of infection like irritability, difficulty feeding, or fever. If a baby becomes unresponsive, struggles to breathe, or turns blue, parents should seek immediate medical help.