Charlie Sheen, seen at the Clark Sports Center in 2012, revealed Tuesday he has been HIV positive for the past four years. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI |
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Charlie Sheen revealed Tuesday he spent thousands of dollars trying to keep his HIV diagnosis a secret. The actor is not alone -- there are more than 1.2 million people living with the infection in the United States.
Thanks to several new medications for the infection, including a recently-approved single-pill treatment, HIV positive individuals can lead relatively normal lives as long as they make healthy choices that protect both themselves and others. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, HIV is no longer the leading global cause of death, having recently been surpassed by tuberculosis.
Sheen told NBC's Matt Lauer that learning about the diagnosis has been a "turning point" in his life. These other six celebrities who have been living with the infection for years and even decades are proof that Sheen is capable of carrying on.
The basketball star announced he was HIV positive in 1991. He has since created the Magic Johnson Foundation to help combat HIV.
File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
The Olympic diver was diagnosed with the infection six months before the 1988 Olympics.
File Photo by David Silpa/UPI
4. Holly Johnson
The lead vocalist of Frankie Goes to Hollywood learned he was HIV positive in 1991.
File Photo by Featureflash/UPI
3. Danny Pintauro
The Who's the Boss alum revealed he is HIV positive in a September episode of Oprah: Where Are They Now?
File Photo by Francis Specker/UPI
2. Chuck Panozzo
The bass player for the rock band Styx disclosed his diagnosis, and the fact that he is gay, in 2001.
Chuck Panozzo (center) performs with Styx in 2012. Photo by Randy Miramontez/ Shutterstock.com
1. Andy Bell
The lead singer of the English synthpop duo Erasure has said he's been HIV positive since 1998.
Photo by Randy Miramontez/Shutterstock