Charlie Sheen -- Advisers Warned DON'T Do Interview ... You'll Go Broke

Charlie Sheen revealed on "Today" that he has HIV, against the strong advice of his managers and lawyers who said it would open the floodgates to lawsuits that could leave Charlie penniless.

Sources familiar with the situation tell us ... Charlie was open with them that he had sex with scores of people during the 4 year period where he knew he had HIV. The advisers told Charlie even if the people with whom he had sexual contact did not contract HIV, they would still have a claim based on emotional distress.

Charlie acknowledged what we reported ... he has already paid out millions in settlements, but his lawyers and business people say the lawsuits would multiply with the announcement.

Charlie has made tens of millions of dollars during his career, but as one source put it ... "he bleeds money." He pays $110,000 monthly in child support alone.