Danger of Kissing Babies An eight-year-old girl named Breelynn suffered permanent brain damage from a kiss on the mouth.
A Sudden Illness
Breelynn was born as a healthy and happy infant. However, someone kissed her on the mouth at two days old. Two weeks later, the baby started having seizures.
The Medical Cause
The person who kissed her had a cold sore. This caused a herpes infection called HSV encephalitis. The virus entered her brain fluid and attacked her brain tissue.
Impact on Life
Now, Breelynn is eight years old and cannot walk or talk. The infection damaged 60 percent of her brain’s left side. It also impacted 10 percent of the right side.
A Mother’s Warning
The mother shared this story on the YouTube channel Special Books by Special Kids. She wants to warn other families about the risks of kissing infants. She states: “When parents say not to kiss your children, this is one of the reasons for sure.”
Current Health Outlook
Doctors do not expect Breelynn to live into adulthood. Still, her mother has forgiven the person who kissed the baby. She says: “You know, it was an accident and they didn’t truly mean it.”
When to Seek Help
The NHS says babies are very vulnerable to this virus. Call 999 if a baby is floppy or has trouble breathing. Also, watch for a blue tongue or low energy. Symptoms can escalate very quickly.