Actor Charlie Sheen revealed he is HIV-positive during an interview Tuesday on the Today Show. Not since Magic Johnson has such a famous celebrity brought the issue of HIV and AIDS back onto the public stage.

For some New Jersey patients, it is good to keep the subject out in the open and to educate the public.

Ed Barron, of Boonton, found out he was HIV-positive back in 1986. As he watched Charlie Sheen's interview, he says that he understood why it took the actor so long to publicly confess. It took Barron a long time as well.

"I was fearful. I didn't know how my family would react so I kept it a secret as long as I possibly could," he says.

With major medical advancements, AIDS is no longer the death sentence it once was, according to Laurie Litt, CEO of New Jersey AIDS Services.

"A non-positive person can take an HIV medication called Trivada, which can completely decrease their risk of becoming infected," Litt says.

These drugs are expensive, but under New Jersey's AIDS Drug Distribution Program, many medications are covered for low-income patients. Testing is also free and readily available.

"So many people have the virus and don't know it because they're afraid to get tested because they're afraid to tell people," says Litt.

In New Jersey, anyone over the age of 13 can be tested and they do not need parental consent. They also do not have to give their name.

Barron says that he believes more work needs to be done when it comes to public opinion about the disease so the stigma isn't as strong.

Dec. 1 is World AIDS Day. The federal theme for this year is "The Time to Act is Now."