PLASMA THERAPY

‘Plasma Therapy’ is a familiar word to us during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before going to the topic, let us understand what plasma is…

WHAT IS PLASMA?

The major part of our blood constitute of plasma (about 55%), which is the liquid portion of blood. Plasma carries water, salts, enzymes and plays a major role in transporting antibodies.

Antibodies are proteins which build immunity and fight against the pathogens that has entered our body.

WHAT IS PLASMA THERAPY?

Plasma therapy uses blood donated by recovered patients to introduce antibodies in those who are under treatment.

CONVALESCENT PLASMA THERAPY

It is an experimental treatment done by doctors, which has been very useful to treat COVID-19 affected people.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The antibodies from recovered people are taken through blood. This is called convalescent plasma. It is transferred to the infected person.

Antibodies are produced by B cells of our immune system. Vaccination works on the principle to generate antibodies. Convalescent plasma therapy was employed in H1N1, influenza, Ebola, SARS, MERS.

DID YOU KNOW: Emil Behring was awarded Nobel prize for physiology and medicine for demonstrating that plasma could be used to treat Diphtheria.

RISKS INVOLVED

• Transmission of blood-borne infectious diseases (HIV, hepatitis etc).
• Artificially supplied antibodies can cause Antibody-Dependent Enhancement, where antibodies can cause infection to other Corona diseases (SARS, MERS)
• Allergy (rashes, itchness)

According to researchers, risks involved are low.

Studies conducted during Spanish flu pandemic (1918-1920) also reveals convalescent plasma therapy as a potential therapy for infectious diseases.

Studies by American Medical Association has shown that plasma therapy provides better results for COVID 19 treatment.

Please do consider in donating your plasma if you are a COVID 19 recovered person. You may save many lives. 😊

THANK YOU!

WRITTEN BY : SREENIDHI

SOURCES: Google, The Hindu