Newborn's Terrifying Ordeal: How a Simple Cold Sore Nearly Proved Fatal

In July 2025, five-month-old Violet Stevens became seriously ill just two weeks after a routine caesarean birth. What started as vomiting and conjunctivitis-like symptoms quickly escalated, leading Violet's mother Holly to take her to the emergency room. There, doctors diagnosed Violet with encephalitis, a dangerous brain inflammation caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

Violet spent a harrowing month in the hospital, undergoing a barrage of tests and treatments to combat the infection. The ordeal was made even more distressing by the difficulty of administering intravenous antiviral medication to Violet's tiny veins. Despite the medical team's best efforts, the virus had already begun to affect Violet's neurological functions, raising concerns about potential long-term impacts on her development.

The source of Violet's infection was traced back to a visit from one of Holly's friends, who had a cold sore but did not realize the danger it posed to the infant. Experts warn that even without direct contact, the HSV-1 virus can easily be transmitted to newborns, with potentially devastating consequences. Tragically, Violet's case highlights the urgent need to raise awareness about this risk, as many parents and even some healthcare providers remain unaware of the threat.

Now five months old, Violet is on the road to recovery, but the virus will remain in her body for the rest of her life. Holly hopes that by sharing her family's harrowing experience, she can help prevent other parents from enduring a similar ordeal.