admin
BAD-BOY actor Charlie Sheen has revealed on an American TV show that he is HIV positive.
The former star of popular sitcom – Two And A Half Men said he had been diagnosed four years ago but had no idea how he had become infected.
“It started with a series of cluster headaches and sweating. I was hospitalised and thought I’d a brain tumour. After tests they said this was the situation. It’s a hard three letters to absorb,” Charlie said.
He said one of the reasons he was announcing his status to the world was because he had been paying people millions of dollars to keep quiet about his infection. When Charlie initially revealed his HIV status to friends, the truth became treason leading to blackmail, extortion and a circle of deceit.
“I trusted them. They were in my inner circle and I thought they could be helpful. My trust turned to their treason,” he said, adding a prostitute took a picture of his medication and threatened to sell it to newspapers.
He admitted that his use of drink and drugs was a “bad decision” but said it was “impossible” that he would have passed HIV on to anyone else.
The actor said he does not know how he contracted the virus but stressed he does not feel any stigma attached to the illness.
He hopes his honesty will help others feel better about being HIV positive.
“With what we’re doing today, others may come up and say thanks Charlie, thanks for kicking the door open,” he said.
On the TV show, Charlie appeared with his doctor, Robert Huizenga, who said he was absolutely healthy as his daily medication had suppressed the virus.
“Charlie has an undetectable level of the virus in his blood,” Huizenga said.
When asked to respond to rumours that Charlie had Aids, Huizenga said: “Charlie does not have Aids – that’s when the virus suppresses the immune system. He’s healthy.”
Charlie said he is taking prescribed drugs daily and despite his erratic tendencies, has never missed a day’s medication. He is no longer taking recreational drugs but admitted he still “drinks a bit”.
Huizenga said he had concerns Charlie might omit to take his medication.
“We’re petrified about him, we’re so, so anxious that if he was overly depressed or abusing substances he’d forget to take a pill, but he’s managed to take his medication,” Huizenga said.
Asked if he would stop drinking, Charlie said: “Perhaps the freedom of today might lead to that as well.”
He said his personal disbelief, shame and anger at the initial diagnosis led to a descent into substance abuse and fathomless drinking. But now he feels he has the responsibility to better and help other people.
Charlie has had his wild times, often struggling to stop abusing drink and drugs. He was fired from Two And A Half Men in 2011 because of his bad behaviour.
He has been married and divorced three times. He was due to marry his fourth wife but the wedding was called off. – BBC.
Online Reporter