Herpes Virus from a Kiss Causes 2-Year-Old to Lose Vision in One Eye

A 2-year-old child in the UK lost vision in one eye after contracting the herpes virus from a kiss on the face.

According to Metro on Monday, Michelle Simon, originally from Namibia, noticed that her 16-month-old son’s left eye was severely bloodshot in August of last year. Initially thinking it was just conjunctivitis, Simon took her son to the hospital. However, doctors diagnosed him with an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Herpes simplex virus (HSV), commonly known simply as herpes, is a highly contagious virus that causes cold sores around the lips and genital sores. It spreads mainly through direct contact with an infected person, such as kissing or other close physical interactions.

Medical experts believe the child contracted the virus after being kissed on the face or near the eye area by someone carrying HSV.

“My husband and I aren’t herpes carriers, so it was shocking to learn our child was infected from someone else’s kiss,” said Michelle Simon, the child’s mother. “I know it wasn’t intentional, but it’s an incredibly tough situation for a child to go through.”

Despite receiving treatment for the infection, the child tragically lost vision in his left eye. Fortunately, the virus did not spread to his brain or right eye.

The child is currently recovering from amniotic membrane transplant surgery and is set to undergo a significant procedure in April to transplant nerves from his leg to his eye.

If successful, this surgery could potentially restore his vision.

Dr. Primrose Freestone, a clinical microbiology professor at the University of Leicester, advises, “Infants are particularly vulnerable to germs, including the herpes virus. It’s best to avoid kissing their faces. If you must kiss them, it’s safer to kiss their feet or the back of their head.”

Infants have underdeveloped immune systems compared to adults, making them more susceptible to herpes and bacterial infections like E. coli and pneumococcus. Newborns, especially those under three months old, have fewer immune cells, which makes infections progress more rapidly.