Romanian actor Serban Ionescu has been bed bound for several months, as he is suffering from Lyme's disease, a serious condition transmitted by tick bites and affecting joints, muscles, heart and nervous system, which can, in some cases, lead to paralysis. He was bit by a tick while hunting.

He was diagnosed with the disease about six months ago, but continued to play on the Bucharest National Theater stage until December last year. Serban Ionescu initially felt pain in his left shoulder and doctors thought that it was rheumatism, but after much further analysis, the actor was diagnosed with the Lyme's disease. He is currently following a long-term treatment with antibiotics.

“I have Lyme's disease. It attacks the nervous system, so the spinal cord or brain stem, paralyzing your brain,’ said the Serban Ionescu. Around 300 cases are reported nationwide every year.

The Romanian actor was born on September 23, 1950. He has starred in many plays, some TV series, and also in films such as ‘Website Story’ directed by Romanian Dan Chisu, or ‘Umilinta’ (Humiliation) directed by Catalin Apostol.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Cinemagia.ro)