Anyone who’s had children knows how common eye infections can be. But when Michelle Saaiman noticed something odd in her son Juwan’s eye last August, she had no idea the discovery would change their lives forever.

At first, she assumed it was a routine eye infection. But when antibiotic drops didn’t help and the condition worsened, doctors uncovered something much more serious. Juwan, just 16 months old, had contracted herpes simplex virus (HSV) in his cornea — most likely from someone with an active cold sore kissing him near the eye.

The diagnosis left Michelle stunned. “The doctor was telling me there’s a fever blister growing in my child’s cornea. I was literally looking at the doctor wondering whether it’s April 1, because I thought it was an April Fool’s joke,” she recalled.

What followed was heartbreaking. The virus attacked Juwan’s cornea so aggressively that he lost all vision in the affected eye. The natural gel protecting the surface dried up, a 4mm hole developed, and doctors worried they might not be able to save the eye at all. “By that time, the herpes just caused so much damage that he essentially lost all feeling in the eye, and he could not see anything,” Michelle said. “The brain stopped sending signals to the eye, and it dried out.”

In a desperate attempt to save their son’s eye, the Saaiman family flew Juwan to Cape Town for specialized care. He underwent an amnion graft surgery, and his eyelids were temporarily stitched together to protect the area. They’re now preparing for a critical surgery in April that will involve transferring nerves from his leg to the damaged eye — a vital step before a possible cornea transplant next year.

Despite the pain and challenges, Michelle describes her son as incredibly resilient. “Juwan is such a trooper, he’s really just always had a smile on his face. But he was in severe pain,” she said. “It is not fair for such a tiny human to go through all that.”

Michelle and her husband initially struggled with anger. “We were just angry with whoever was so selfish to kiss my child in his face with an active fever blister,” she admitted. “But kisses come from a place of love. I’m sure it wasn’t done intentionally or with any idea to do him harm.”

The emotional and physical toll on the family has been intense. They’ve endured weeks of complex medical procedures, contacted specialists in New York to find the right medication, and lived in fear that the virus might spread to Juwan’s brain or his other eye. While the virus has been somewhat controlled, the damage to his vision is permanent.

Now, Michelle is speaking out to raise awareness about the potential danger of transmitting viruses to young children — especially through something as seemingly harmless as a kiss. “A fever blister is supposed to be on your lips or in your mouth,” she said. “I’ve never in my life heard of a fever blister growing on someone’s cornea.”

She’s shared their journey in a detailed Facebook post, which has since gone viral, and a fundraiser has been launched to help cover the extensive costs of Juwan’s care — including travel and ongoing medical treatment.

Michelle hopes that by sharing her family’s experience, others will think twice before getting too close to infants or toddlers while sick. While many people know to avoid contact with babies during illness, it’s a reminder that even the smallest gestures — a quick kiss — can carry serious risks.

Juwan’s strength has inspired thousands, and the community has rallied around his family. With continued treatment and hope for upcoming surgeries, his parents are doing everything they can to protect his future. They say every donation, share, and kind word helps.

As Michelle puts it, “It’s been a long, hard road, and we’re doing everything we can to save our son’s eye.”