In the early days after the diagnosis, Michelle and her husband were overwhelmed with anger toward the person who had kissed their child and unknowingly passed on the virus. “Both my husband and I were really, really angry,” she admitted. “We kept thinking, How could someone be so careless — so selfish — to kiss a baby with an active fever blister?” Still, Michelle acknowledges that the person likely didn’t mean any harm. “Kisses come from love,” she said softly. “Whoever did this, I’m sure it wasn’t intentional. But that doesn’t make it any less devastating.”
The couple has spent months coordinating with medical experts across the globe, including specialists in New York, to find the right combination of treatments and medications. Every day brought new fears — that the virus could spread to Juwan’s other eye, or worse, to his brain. Though doctors have managed to contain the infection, the damage already done is permanent.
Raising Awareness and Spreading a Life-Saving Message
Michelle has also launched a fundraising campaign to cover the soaring medical expenses, which include international flights, hospital stays, surgeries, and specialized medications. Every contribution, she says, helps keep their hope alive. “It’s been a long, hard road,” Michelle shared. “We’re doing everything we can to save our son’s eye.”
A Powerful Reminder
This heartbreaking story is a sobering reminder of how something as innocent as a kiss can carry devastating consequences. Many people are unaware that the herpes simplex virus — the same one responsible for cold sores — can be life-threatening to babies and young children if it spreads to sensitive areas like the eyes or brain. During the pandemic, many learned to be more cautious about close contact, but it’s easy to forget those lessons in everyday life. Parents, relatives, and friends often want to show affection to little ones — a kiss on the cheek or forehead — without realizing that even the smallest sign of a cold sore can pose a serious risk. Continue reading…
