Warning: A Kiss From Someone Could Cost This Toddler His Eye

Have you ever thought about the risks of kissing a baby when you’re sick? Why is a toddler’s eye infection from a cold sore kiss so dangerous?

Would you believe that a quick kiss from a family member or friend could turn into a nightmare for a small child?

It sounds impossible, right? But for one family, this simple act led to a serious problem that threatened their toddler’s eyesight.

What started as a normal day ended with a shocking discovery, showing how something as common as a cold sore can cause big trouble for little ones.

This story is a wake-up call for parents everywhere.

A two-year-old boy named Juwan faced a scary situation after someone with a cold sore kissed him.

His parents didn’t think much of it at first. But soon, they noticed something strange about his eye. It looked different, almost like something was growing inside it.

What they thought was a basic eye infection turned out to be much worse—a dangerous virus that could cost him his vision.

How Did a Toddler’s Eye Infection From a Kiss Escalated?

Juwan’s trouble began in August last year when he was just 16 months old. His parents took him to the doctor, who gave him antibiotics for what seemed like a typical eye infection.

But two days later, his eye got worse. His mom, Michelle Saaiman, saw that it wasn’t healing—it looked odd, and Juwan didn’t even flinch when he touched it.

That’s when they knew something serious was happening.

Doctors figured out that the herpes simplex virus, the same one that causes cold sores, had infected Juwan’s eye.

Since his parents didn’t have the virus, it likely came from someone else—someone who kissed him near his eye or on his hand, which he then rubbed into his eye.

This virus attacked his cornea, the clear part of the eye, causing a blister and eventually a hole.

The damage was so bad that Juwan lost feeling and sight in that eye.

Now, his family is fighting to save it with surgeries and special treatments.

The Hidden Danger of Cold Sores for Kids

Cold sores might seem like no big deal for adults—just a small, annoying blister on the lip. But for babies and toddlers, they can be dangerous.

The herpes simplex virus spreads easily through touch, especially when someone has an active sore.

For young kids, whose immune systems aren’t fully developed, this virus can cause serious problems if it reaches their eyes or other sensitive areas.

His mum says, “This is something that I’ve read a thousand times, but we’ve never really been too bothered about it — I mean, what’s the worst that can happen, right? Wrong. I was so wrong.”

In Juwan’s case, it led to a condition called herpes keratitis, which can destroy eyesight if not treated quickly.

Michelle wishes she had known this sooner. She now tells other parents: don’t let anyone kiss your baby, especially if they have a cold sore.

“I feel it necessary to make people understand why you should not kiss someone’s baby”, she said.

It’s a simple rule that could prevent a lot of pain. The family has already spent a lot of money on medical care and travel to see specialists.

They even set up a fundraiser to help cover costs as Juwan faces more surgeries, including one to move nerves from his leg to his eye.

What Parents Can Do to Keep Kids Safe

This story shows how important it is to be careful around little ones. If you have a cold sore, avoid kissing babies or touching their faces.

“The moral of the story is don’t let anyone kiss your baby. Such a silly virus caused so much trauma and damage, it’s just not worth it,” says the mum.

Wash your hands often, and don’t share things like towels or cups with kids.

For parents, watch for signs of trouble—like redness, swelling, or strange behavior in your child’s eyes—and see a doctor right away if something seems off.

Quick action can make a huge difference.

Juwan’s family hopes his story helps others avoid the same struggle. They’re doing everything they can to save his eye, but the future is uncertain.

A small kiss can have big consequences when a cold sore is involved. By spreading the word, they want to protect other kids from this hidden danger.

You might also want to read: Why Toddler Reading Time Is So Important and How to Get Started