Among the most dreadful infections that the inflicted individual cannot still openly admit in public is being HIV positive. However, former child star Danny Pintauro did the other way. He announced his HIV status on Saturday night's episode of "Oprah: Where Are They Now?"
Who would ever forget Pintauro? He was the young, blonde-haired Jonathan on the family sitcom "Who's The Boss?" Pintauro played the son of a driven single mom for eight years, and he won the audience with his nerdy charm, Huffington Post reports.
In his sit-down interview with Oprah, the actor who now goes by the name Daniel immediately spilled his long-held secret after being asked by Oprah about it. "I wanted to tell you this a long time ago, but I wasn't ready. I'm ready now," said Pintauro. "I'm HIV-positive, and I have been for 12 years."
The actor admitted that it took him years to finally open about his case because such matter is a big deal. Despite the government's effort in controlling HIV, it remains a topic that people don't really talk about.
The actor earlier admitted that he is gay, and as a responsible gay man he gets HIV testing every six months. He did not expect that in March of 2003 his world will change. "It was just regular blood work. You go in, and you sort of waited two weeks on pins and needles -- or at least I did, because I was just terrified of the idea of getting HIV," he said.
He admitted that he was doing crystal meth. He just came out from a two-year relationship and discovered that he wanted to explore sexually. He thought that he was safe with the encounter and in fact, revealed that he knew exactly when it happened.
Pintauro revealed that he doesn't remember the man's name and expressed his regrets for not doing so because as he said, "that person has completely changed my life."
With his new revelation, Pintauro wanted to be the "beacon of light," that despite his current condition he can still live a healthy and happy life, People has learned.
He is also hoping to continue destigmatizing the disease and is encouraging other HIV positive to come out the closet, "until we all come out of the HIV closet and start talking about it ... we [won't become] more accepted."
Pintauro is also calling the gay community to be more aware of this issue. "I want my community to wake up, stop being complacent and start taking care of each other. We need to be the best we can - safe and healthy."
