Danny Pintauro on Wednesday penned an
op-ed about Hollywood actor Charlie Sheen's revelation for HIV
Plus.
Sheen on Tuesday told Today show
anchor Matt Lauer that he's HIV-positive.
(Related: Charlie
Sheen says he's HIV-positive; paid millions to keep “extortionists”
quiet.)
Pintauro, a former child star best
known for playing Jonathan Bower on Who's the Boss, announced
in September that he's been living with HIV for 12 years. He came
out gay in 1997.
“It took me twelve years to get to a
place where I was ready to tell the world [my status] … I commend
Charlie for realizing it was time to take control of his story,”
Pintauro
wrote.
“The effect stigma has on HIV has
never been clearer – as Charlie's story indicates, people will go
to great lengths to keep others from knowing their status.”
“I believe we are on the verge of
changing the way people look at HIV and I couldn’t be more fired up
to do my part to [effect] that change. This is an opportunity to
learn and teach. And so I urge you to set aside any negativity and
take the time to educate yourself and others instead. Find out about
PrEP, a once daily pill to protect against HIV. Learn about the
amazing advancements in treatment, what 'undetectable' means, and how
treatment not only helps those with HIV be healthy, but also helps
prevent the spread of the disease (treatment as prevention),” he
added.