'Who's The Boss' Sitcom Star Danny Pintauro Comes Out As HIV Positive

"Who's The Boss" cast in the 1980s

During the 1980s, the sitcom "Who's The Boss" was a big hit among audiences. The show ran for several years and garnered high ratings. Today, one of the show's actors, former child star, Danny Pintauro, now 39-years of age, has revealed he is HIV positive. Pintauro, who is gay, contracted HIV while having sex on the highly addictive and destructive drug, crystal meth.

Pintauro came out as gay in 1997. He later contracted HIV in 2003. Pintauro has been living with the dreaded disease for 12-years. He is not alone in this regard, as there are many HIV positive entertainers in Hollywood, many of whom hide their health status, due to the stigma still attached to the disease.

Danny Pintauro on "Who's The Boss"

Pintauro stated during an interview with talk show host Oprah Winfrey, "I'm HIV positive. And I have been for 12 years. I went in for a regular checkup. You know, as a responsible gay man, you're getting an HIV test done every six months...And you sort of waited two weeks on pins and needles, or at least I did, because I was terrified of the idea of getting HIV."

Pintauro revealed how he contracted the disease, "There was more that I wanted to explore sexually. Crystal meth takes away your inhibitions. You have no limits. And if you want to explore that adventurous side, taking the drug is going to put you there." Pintauro ended up having sex with a stranger and contracted the disease from him, "I truly thought I was being safe and obviously, I wasn't."

Danny Pintauro today

The first person who contracted HIV in America was a teenage gay prostitute. Years later when the disease started to show up on the map in a more pronounced manner, the first publicized infection was also a gay man (a flight attendant). Gays also have the highest number of new HIV cases. However, the public should not think it is just a gay person's disease. There are many heterosexuals, who are being reckless in their sex lives (unknowingly contracting and spreading HIV). Some believe a condom is a cure all, when it has a 36% failure rate. In some cases, there is condom and vaginal tearing during sex and transmission occurs.

Sadly pop culture glorifies promiscuity and tries to make people feel foolish and uncool for not having sex with as many people as possible. It's a dangerous message to send. Going around having sex with multiple people or with a promiscuous person is a terrible idea. You are risking your physical and mental health, flirting with a disease that does not discriminate, nor does it care about your color, where you are from or how much money you have in the bank.

To people with HIV and AIDS, have hope. Live with the hope that medical science is making advancements to help you. Don't live your life sad and afraid. I'm sorry you are sick, but one day things will get better.