Treatment of Covid-19 through plasma has been approved by the Centre in its fresh Covid-19 treatment protocol.
Plasma therapy, broadly known as ‘convalescent plasma therapy’, is a procedure to treat coronavirus infection. In this experimental treatment, plasma, which is the yellowish liquid part of the blood, is extracted from a person who has recovered from the infection and injected into a patient who is suffering from that disease. It contains that antibodies that can help a patient fight the pathogen and recover from the disease.
Plasma can be administered within seven days of the onset of symptoms and in moderate cases.
Who can donate?
There are several criteria that one should meet. First of all, donors need to have tested negative for Covid-19 and recovered from the illness. They should also not have any symptoms for the last 14 days.
Most importantly, they need to have high antibody levels in their plasma. Moreover, a donor and the patient must also have compatible blood types. Once the plasma is donated, it is screened for other infectious diseases, such as HIV.
You can donate if you are:
- Between 18-60 years of age and for women, she should be above 18 years of age and should never have been pregnant.
- Weigh more 50 kgs.
- Found negative for all pre donation testing for relevant transfusion transmitted infections.
Who are not eligible to donate?
- Women who have ever been pregnant.
- People vaccinated for Covid-19 less than 28 days ago (Covid-infected persons are ineligible for plasma donation for 28 days since inoculation).
- Anyone who does not have enough antibodies present in their blood.
What to keep in mind while going to a hospital for donation?
Contact the hospital prior to your visit and inform them of your plans/ask for any additional information they might have on the matter. Carry a hard copy of your Covid-19 negative report.
Donating plasma is mostly a safe process, but side effects do exist. It can cause common but usually minor side effects like dehydration and fatigue. Serious side effects may occur as well, although these are rare.
Dehydration- Plasma contains a lot of water. For that reason, some people experience dehydration after donating.
Dizziness, fainting, and lightheadedness- Plasma is rich in nutrients and salts. These are important in keeping the body alert and functioning properly. Losing some of these substances through donation can lead to an electrolyte imbalance.
Fatigue- Fatigue can occur if the body has low levels of nutrients and salts.
Infection- Any time a needle is used to pierce the skin, there is always a small risk of infection. Punctured skin tissue allows bacteria from outside the body to get in.
