Human immunodeficiency virus is a virus that weakens a person's resistant system of rules by destroying CD4 cells, a type of white blood cell. While in that respect's still no cure for HIV, information technology's highly tractable with antiretroviral therapy. With regular treatment, a person living with HIV can expect to be A long as a person without HIV.

Despite all we have it off about HIV, in that respect remains a lot of stigma surrounding it. The fact is that anyone can contract HIV — even the most rich and famous people in the world. Here's a list of nine celebrities who've had the courage to make their HIV status public so they can raise awareness and help others.

Arthur Ashe was a macrocosm-renowned lawn tennis player who was active in HIV and AIDS awareness. Ashe contracted HIV from a transfusion afterwards having nerve operating room in 1983. Atomic number 2 came public with his stipulate after rumors were started by the press.

In 1992, The New York Times quoted him at a press conference expression, "Just as I'm sure everyone in this room has some personal matter helium or she would like to keep private, sol did we… On that point was certainly no compelling medical or physical necessity to go public with my medical condition."

So much statements highlighted the movement for HIV and AIDS awareness at that time, when celebrities were first starting to construct public their diagnosis with the condition.

Ashe died of related complications in 1993 at the age of 49.

Eric Lynn S. S. Van Dine, better titled Eazy-E, was a member of the Los Angeles-supported hip-hops group N.W.A. Eazy-E died in 1995, one calendar month after receiving a diagnosis of AIDS.

Before his death, Eazy-E released a program line of redemption and last wishes: "I'm not saying this because I'm looking a spongy cushion wherever I'm heading, I just feel that I've got thousands and thousands of young fans that give birth to learn about what's real when it comes to AIDS. Like the others before me, I would like to turn my own job into something good that will turn over bent on all my homeboys and their kin."

His son, doorknocker Lil Eazy-E, has continued the musical legacy of his father while also becoming a well-known HIV and AIDS active.

Magic Johnson is a paladin on several levels. Not only when is atomic number 2 a former basketball whiz, he's also unrivalled of the first celebrities to inform the domain that he's HIV-positive. Johnson made his announcement in 1991 — a time when the public believed a great number of misconceptions some HIV. In a news conference, he said, "Because of the HIV virus I throw attained, I will have to retire from the Lakers… I plan to fall out living for a bimestrial time."

Over 25 years later, Johnson has ready-made skilled on his plan. While unmoving involved in sports as a commentator, helium as wel started the Magic Johnson Foundation, an educational organization whose aim is to prevent the spread of HIV.

By from existence called an Olympic diving champion in the 1980s, Louganis is too unity of the most famous faces of HIV knowingness. He was diagnosed with HIV in 1988 and has since used his passion of diving event as a force to keep him going.

In thinking back to his diagnosis, Louganis told ESPN in 2016, "My doctor encouraged me that the healthiest affair for me would be to cover training for the Olympics. The diving was much more of a positive thing to focus happening. I did suffer from depression; if we had a day off, I couldn't get out of bed. I would just pull the covers over my head. But as abundant as I had something on the calendar, I showed ahead."

Today Louganis cadaver a regular inspiration — not just for athletes, but also for those World Health Organization battle HIV stigma.

Freddie Mercury kept his HIV diagnosing secret for long time. The lead singer of Poove died of AIDS complications just days after he publicly proclaimed he was HIV-positive. The Los Angeles Times reported the announcement he made shortly in front his expiry:

"Following the enormous theorize in the public press over the last two weeks, I wish to confirm that I have well-tried HIV-positive and have AIDS.

"I felt it correct to preserve this information private to go steady in order to protect the privacy of those about Maine.

"However, the time has now come for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth and I hope that everyone will join with Pine Tree State, my doctors and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease."

He was 45 years old at the time of his death in November 1991. His melodic voice and musical talents, as swell As his fight against HIV, continue to inspire hoi polloi today.

This origination member and bassist of the band Styx has advocated activism along two counts: gay rights and Human immunodeficiency virus prevention. Chuck Panozzo announced in 2001 that he was diagnosed with HIV. He besides wrote a memoir particularization his experiences.

In 2012, Panozzo explicit that organism a member of River Styx was his ultimate source of support, saying, "What the band has taught me psychologically is that I need to go out and be with my band as they continue their bequest in the rock 'n' roll world forever… How could that not help me in my recovery process? I accept a band that is willing to gain sure that I stay healthy."

Today, Panozzo is maintaining his condition with medications while staying active in the fight against HIV.

Danny Pintauro is perhaps best known for his role of Jonathan on the sitcom "Who's the Boss?" Right away Pintauro is also attributable for HIV activism. In 2015, the former child wi told Oprah Winfrey about his diagnosis of HIV: "I sought to separate you this a age ago, but I wasn't ready. I'm ready today… I'm HIV-positive, and I have been for 12 years."

Pintauro also acknowledges that helium wasn't ready to public lecture astir his condition for so many years because of possible mark.

In 2015, actor Charlie Sheen in public announced his HIV diagnosis. Though Sheen has been HIV-positive since 2011, he decided to publicize his condition to raise awareness. Adding to the contention is his admission that He continuing to have relations with women knowing that he was HIV-positive at the time. Still, Luster power be seeking some redemption, stating that helium has to "not ostracize away from responsibilities and opportunities that drive me to help others… I have a obligation now to better myself and assistance a lot of other mass."

Pedro Zamora successful a significant shock during his short-circuit life. He was one of the cast members of MTV's "Real World: San Francisco" reality series. He used the depict as a platform for Human immunodeficiency virus and AIDS awareness arsenic well as indulgent rights. Zamora was quoted saying, "As jovial young people, we are marginalized. As young multitude who are Human immunodeficiency virus-positive and have AIDS, we are completely written off."

Atomic number 2 died at the geezerhoo of 22 in 1994. Since then, his loved ones — including former "Real World" cast members — continue Zamora's legacy and work to further HIV awareness and prevention.