REINHARD HERMES

Without notice, I was told to pack up my things, “we’re moving to America,” the land of my comic book heroes. We left Berlin, Germany with all its life-threatening dramas of undetonated bombs, city-wide explosions, and food shortages for the American Dream in California. When I entered the 4th Grade I soon realized that I’d have to stand my ground even before I learned to speak English. The German kid, often misunderstood, at times misjudged. I became a naturalized U.S citizen when I joined the U.S. Army during the Viet Nam War. When my enlistment ended I moved to Newport Beach, CA and lived the life of “Surfing Safari” as a full-time college student, graduating with a master’s degree, a deep tan, and married to Ms. Teen America. We have two gifted children, Erin & Elliot.

 

Eczema can be troublesome for those infected with the Herpes virus. There are potential Eczema triggers that make symptoms worse. What is relatively unknown is that the most dangerous trigger is Herpes--either Cold Sores or Genital Herpes. Most doctors, General Practitioners, are unfamiliar with the complications of having Eczema and Herpes outbreaks at the same time, and location. They don’t see it enough. It’s more in the realm of textbook dermatology or infectious disease. Please be vigilant if you’re infected with both Herpes and Eczema. Eczema-Herpeticum can be a mess, waiting for a train wreck.

 

According to the CDC or Center for Disease Control and Prevention, "Genital Herpes is an STD caused by two types of viruses: the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), but mostly herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).” Genital herpes is quite common in the United States. In 2018, the CDC estimated there were 572,000 new genital herpes infections in the U.S. among people aged 14 to 49. Genital herpes can cause painful genital sores and can be severe in people who have compromised immune systems. However, Genital Herpes outbreaks are not made only of rashes and blister--but stories. This book is my experience of how came to be Herpes Free.