Breelynn was born a healthy baby. The delivery went smoothly, with no complications. Her family looked forward to the ordinary joys of raising a newborn.

Just two days later, someone with an active cold sore kissed her on the mouth. Because a newborn’s immune system is still immature, the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) spread rapidly. Within two weeks, Breelynn began having seizures. The infection entered her brain fluid and caused herpes simplex virus encephalitis—an inflammation that attacked and destroyed brain tissue.

Doctors later determined that roughly 60 percent of the left side of her brain and about 10 percent of the right side had been damaged. The encephalitis essentially “ate away” at the tissue. As a result, Breelynn cannot walk or speak. Her health remains extremely fragile, and she is not expected to reach adulthood.

Her mother has spoken openly about the experience in interviews, including one with the organization Special Books by Special Kids. “When parents say not to kiss your children, this is one of the reasons for sure,” she explained. “She was born healthy. She was fine. And at two days old, somebody was so excited to see her that they kissed her on the mouth, and two weeks later we started having seizures.”

The family has chosen to share Breelynn’s story to raise awareness. What many people regard as a harmless or affectionate gesture—kissing a baby on the mouth—can carry serious risks when the person has an active cold sore or is shedding the virus without visible symptoms. Neonatal herpes and HSV encephalitis remain rare, but the consequences for a very young infant can be devastating and permanent.

Breelynn’s parents emphasize that the person who kissed her did not intend harm. Still, they want other families to understand the vulnerability of newborns and the importance of protecting them from even common infections during those critical early days and weeks.

Their message is simple and urgent: think carefully before kissing a baby, especially on the mouth. A moment of affection can sometimes leave a lifetime of challenges.

Sources

• Special Books by Special Kids interview with Breelynn’s mother (YouTube, 2024)
• UNILAD, Tyla, and related reports based on the family’s account (May 2024)
• Medical context on neonatal HSV and HSV encephalitis from NHS guidance and clinical literature