A mum has warned people never to kiss babies after her son contracted herpes simplex from a cold sore.
Jed Scanlon was rushed to hospital by parents Amanda, 39, and David, 40, after he came down with a high temperature.
Medics diagnosed the three-year-old with herpes simplex and encephalitis.
Jed has been left with severe learning difficulties after the virus attacked his brain.
Amanda is warning parents against letting people kiss their newborns and to wash their hands before holding them.
She said he was thriving and ahead of his milestones until he was six months old.
“When he was diagnosed, I didn’t realise how serious it was and the complications he was going to be left with,” Amanda, from Londonderry, Northern Ireland, told Need to Know.
“They knew that the virus had attacked his brain instead of the immune system and left him with an acquired brain injury.
“He has significant brain damage to his temple lobes and a rare form of epilepsy caused by the damage.
“They didn’t know if he’d be able to walk or talk.
“We were absolutely devastated. We couldn’t believe it. We were in shock.
“I knew cold sores were dangerous but I didn’t know the extent to leave someone with brain damage.”
The tot has seizures every night and is non verbal.
Doctors are trying to control Jed’s seizures but they can’t determine what his future will look like.
Jed has occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy.
Hospital housekeeper Amanda said: “Before this, he was thriving.
“He was rolling over, he was meeting all his milestones and he was so smart.
“Jed could give me a high five at five-months-old which is amazing.
“When he was diagnosed, it wasn’t a great prognosis.
“They hadn’t met any cases like Jed and they didn’t have a great outlook on his life.
“He has development delays and he’s non verbal.
“We don’t know what his future looks like.
“He can walk and finger feed himself.
“Jed is full of life and he’s constantly up to mischief.
“You need eyes on the back of your head to watch him.”
Amanda documents Jed’s story on her TikTok page Jedsjourney to raise awareness of the dangers of kissing newborns.
She added: “I want to raise awareness of how dangerous cold sores can actually be.
“Don’t kiss anyone’s baby even if you don/t have a cold sore, especially not on the lips.
“It never crossed my mind not to let people kiss him, I just made people wash their hands but cold sores never came into my head.
“We don’t remember Jed being around anyone with a cold sore but you don’t need to be able to see the coldsore to have the virus.
“Once you get the virus it lives dormant and can flare up any time.
“Me and David don’t get cold sores and never have.
“We try not to dwell on where he picked it up from because it won’t achieve much.
“Babies could also get the virus from someone sneezing or coughing around him.
“You have to be really careful.”
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