A past winner of “Big Brother” Dick Donato has revealed to PEOPLE magazine he is HIV positive.
Donato recently signed on to VH1's “Couples Therapy” with girlfriend Stephanie Rogness-Fischer, where he decided to come clean about his diagnosis. Donato learned about his HIV status back in 2011.
"They told me that something was wrong with my blood test," Donato told PEOPLE. "They had done two HIV tests. One had come back positive and the other had come back negative." The show's doctor took more blood. Two hours later, Donato learned the life-changing news. "When they told me, I just went numb," he says. With little explanation, Donato left the show. "They had a car take me from CBS to my mother's house. She was the first person I told."
"My biggest fear was telling my girlfriend," Donato continued. "We had this long discussion, and I figured she would freak out. But she was really understanding about the whole thing. She said, 'Whatever happens, we'll face it together.' She was tested and it came back negative. It was an incredible relief."
Donato isn’t sure how he contracted HIV, but believes having unprotected sex with a woman may have been the source of his infection. Donato is aware of the stigma attached to his HIV status, claiming many assume people with the disease contracted it through drug use or gay sex.
The reality star lived in fear someone would leak his HIV status since his "Big Brother" win, but realized he’s been given a platform to educate others about the disease. Donato is currently taking one pill a day, and his “viral load” is almost undetectable.
"But for better or for worse, I have a platform. And I decided that it was time to just publicly say what I'm dealing with,” Donato told PEOPLE. “On one hand, I'm doing this for myself: I don't want to hide anymore.
“On the other hand, I hope it will remind viewers to get tested, practice safe sex, all those things we know in the back of our minds but maybe don't do. After I told everyone on Couples Therapy, I had two production people pull me aside and say that they had gotten tested. I feel like I can do some good. “
Read more about Donato’s interview with PEOPLE magazine here. “Couples Therapy” airs Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. EST on VH1.
