Juwan Saaiman, a two-year-old boy, lost sight in his left eye after developing a herpes blister in August last year. His mother, Michelle, initially believed he had a minor eye infection and took him to the doctor, where he was prescribed antibiotics. However, further tests later revealed that he had contracted a cold sore in his eye, caused by the herpes simplex virus.
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As both parents tested negative for the virus, doctors suspect that someone with an active herpes cold sore must have kissed the toddler near his eye, inadvertently passing on the infection. Michelle explained: “The herpes virus could only have been transmitted by someone with an active blister kissing our baby on or near his eye, or on his hand, which he later touched his eye with.”
Michelle has since warned others about the potential dangers of seemingly harmless kisses, urging people to be more cautious: “I feel it is important to help people understand why you should never kiss someone else’s baby.” The family hopes to raise awareness about the risks associated with the virus, especially in young children.
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Juwan’s parents have already spent thousands of pounds on his treatment and have had to take significant time off work. To help manage the financial strain, they have set up a fundraiser to cover some of the costs. “Juwan and his parents have a long, traumatic, and costly journey ahead of them,” wrote his grandmother, Elise Myburgh, on the fundraising page.
