For most people, a cold sore is just an annoying but harmless infection. But for two-year-old Juwan Saaiman, exposure to the herpes virus led to a nightmare no parent should ever face—permanent blindness in one eye.
Juwan’s infection started after someone with an active cold sore kissed him. Within days, his eye became inflamed, and despite emergency medical care, the damage was too severe to reverse. Doctors explained that HSV-1, the virus behind cold sores, had spread to his eye, causing irreversible harm.
Pediatricians warn that young children are especially vulnerable to complications from HSV-1. While adults might experience mild symptoms, babies and toddlers can develop severe infections, including eye damage, meningitis, or even life-threatening conditions.
Juwan’s story is a heartbreaking wake-up call. Parents are urged to protect their children by avoiding kisses from anyone with cold sores and watching for early signs of infection—redness, swelling, or unusual discharge. A moment of caution could prevent a lifetime of consequences.
