The unnamed actor is described as a "womaniser" who has dated a number of other celebrities.
A British newspaper has all but named a major A-list actor reportedly diagnosed with HIV, drawing ire from health campaigners.
The star, described as "a womaniser", has known of his HIV-positive status for years, but had not revealed his diagnosis to his sexual partners, Britain's The Sun reports.
The newspaper said it had chosen not to name the actor, who has previously dated movie and television stars, a glamour model and Hollywood personalities.
His lawyers were said to be bracing for potential legal action over his failure to disclose his HIV status.
"The reality is that if he's knowingly put women at risk then that's disgusting and it's only a matter of time before that becomes public," a source told The Sun.
Another source said friends had encouraged the man to go public before he was named by media, but he was worried about the impact on his career.
The newspaper was slammed over its reporting, with British HIV charity the Terrence Higgins Trust saying it was "utterly wrong" to disclose an individual's HIV status without their permission.
"We are provided with enough information here to effectively identify them," spokesman Shaun Griffin told The Independent.
"Even with the advances made in HIV testing and treatment, this shows that unfounded prejudices still remain. It is attitudes like these that perpetuate HIV stigma."
HIV can be spread through unprotected sex, or through other bodily fluids, including via breastfeeding or needle-sharing.
Drugs can be used to strengthen the immune system, to help prevent the virus developing into Aids.
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