Seeing a child suffer from a preventable illness is the most terrifying thing for parents. It is even more devastating when something as simple as a kiss is the cause of that pain. This was the case for Michelle Saaiman, whose 16-month-old son Juwan lost sight in one eye when he was kissed and developed the herpes simplex virus (HSV) in his cornea, causing irreversible damage.
Michelle’s horror started when she saw that Juwan’s eye wasn’t quite right. She thought at first that he might have gotten a minor eye infection. She acted fast, trying to relieve his suffering with antibiotic drops. But once Juwan’s condition deteriorated and the drops failed, Michelle took him to a specialist. She heard news that was just terrible.
Juwan’s cornea had been infected with the herpes simplex virus, which is frequently linked to cold sores, the doctor disclosed. What is the most likely cause? Juwan had been kissed close to his eye by someone who had an active cold sore, unintentionally spreading the virus. Michelle was stunned; she couldn’t understand how something so obviously harmless could have such a disastrous effect. She watched with dread as her son’s condition worsened, however, as the situation’s reality set in.
Juwan contracted the contagious Herpes simplex virus (HSV), which can lead to a variety of diseases. In this instance, the virus entered his cornea, which is the transparent, dome-shaped portion of the eye. After invading, the virus caused serious harm. Juwan developed a 4mm hole as a result of the virus-induced slow “melting” of his cornea. Unfortunately, his left eye was completely blinded due to the extent of the damage. For Michelle and her husband, the possibility that the infection would move to Juwan’s brain or other eye and cause other potentially fatal complications was even more horrifying.
Juwan, despite his young age, showed incredible courage by enduring the agonizing anguish of the infection. In order to help their son, Michelle and her husband went above and above, supporting him with grueling medical procedures and a convoluted course of therapy. However, the financial and emotional costs were high.
Despite this heartbreaking diagnosis, Michelle and her family remained resilient. They contacted physicians in New York and other medical professionals to make sure Juwan had the best care possible. The family had to endure weeks of medical treatments, some of which were emotionally taxing and difficult. However, they did everything they could, but Juwan’s eye was permanently damaged. Despite being partially contained, the herpes virus had left Juwan with lasting scarring, and there didn’t seem to be much chance of recovering his vision in that eye.
Despite this challenging path, Michelle has stayed resilient and committed to educating people about the dangers of HSV transmission, particularly to young children. She has turned into a fervent supporter of the idea that parents should use caution when kissing infants and toddlers, especially if they currently have an active cold sore or someone around has.
Michelle’s heartbreaking Facebook post, which went viral, detailed Juwan’s condition and her entreaty to other parents to be more aware of the dangers of spreading the herpes virus by something as simple as a kiss. Her post went viral, and her story has touched the hearts of many parents worldwide. To aid with the enormous medical expenses the family is incurring while they continue to treat Juwan, a fundraiser has been established.
Michelle’s message is straightforward but impactful: “Love is the source of kisses.” In this instance, however, that love resulted in a devastating loss. Michelle is more conscious than ever of the significance of taking care when it comes to children’s health and safety, even if she is aware that the kiss was probably offered with the best of intentions given Juwan’s unfortunate circumstances.
Parents should be aware of the dangers of spreading viruses like herpes, she advises, especially to young children whose immune systems are still growing. “You can never be too cautious,” she advises, cautioning others against kissing a small child, particularly if cold sores are present.
A sad reminder of how easy something as harmless as a kiss can have life-altering effects is Juwan’s story. Despite their grief over Juwan losing one eye, Michelle and her family are committed to spreading awareness so that no other child has to go through what they did. They hope that by continuing to raise awareness of HSV and its possible risks, others won’t have to go through what they did.
When it comes to preventing the spread of contagious diseases like herpes, the Saaiman family’s experience serves as a potent reminder to always exercise caution and to take the necessary precautions to protect our children. Never should a child’s wellbeing be sacrificed for the love that goes into each kiss.
