How to donate plasma if you recover from COVID-19

Now you have heard a lot antibody When it comes to antibody testing COVID-19 (new coronavirus infectious disease) (# If there is no character limit, add parentheses when first appearing.. We don’t yet know everything about how coronavirus antibodies work, but we know that if you’ve ever been infected with the virus, the antibodies will tell you, and in the current study, you’re already infected. recovery.

There are still no effective cures for COVID-19, so medical researchers are trying several things Different treatment methods To help people, especially those who are seriously ill. One of those treatments Plasma infusionThis includes transfusions of plasma from COVID-19 survivors to critically ill patients. Plasma is expected to contain antibodies that help fight off the virus.

of FDA And that American Red Cross We are encouraging survivors of COVID-19 to donate plasma to help people currently stricken with the virus and seriously ill. Keep reading to learn more about how to donate and how plasma donation can help people with critical illness.

How plasma donations help important patients

One of the biggest challenges in fighting COVID-19 is the lack of proven treatments and cures today. Doctors and scientists are working on a variety of drugs and treatments that may be useful, but they have to do trial and error primarily with other possible treatments such as plasma infusion.

Dr. Sandra Kesh, MD and MD WestMed Medical Group, There is not much data yet on how effective plasma injection of COVID-19 is, but it is promising.

“People who have received plasma infusions are usually those with serious illness because of no other treatment, and some have died from reduced mortality or infection,” Kesch told CNET. ..

According to Dr. Kesh, researchers and healthcare professionals want to be able to extract through the plasma certain antibodies that fight COVID-19, known as neutralizing antibodies. “We do so many different antibody tests that can be confusing and when your body gets infected it creates a series of antibodies. So what you want to give people is the effect. You can fight the virus in an effective way.”

Who is eligible to donate plasma?

Anyone infected with the coronavirus can donate plasma with some restrictions. When I got sick with COVID-19 in April, I was told by the health authorities that a second test and a negative test were needed to donate plasma, FDA says it is not necessary..

According to the FDA, a pre-examination is required to make sure you are infected with the virus and don’t show symptoms for at least 14 days before donating. further, The red cross Donors are at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds, and may have additional weight requirements if under 18 years of age. You should also report your health and generally feel good.

Requirements for donating plasma vary depending on where you donate, so please check all requirements before signing up. Otherwise, you may be rejected later.

How to donate plasma and what to expect

The good thing about donating plasma may sound terrifying, but the experience is really like donating blood. Donating blood plasma takes time (more than an hour) because it is extracted from the blood and part is returned to the blood plasma. What you can expect to feel is similar to other blood donation processes-someone draws blood from your arm and then it is sent through a machine where plasma is collected. This machine helps to extract red blood cells and then send red blood cells back to the body.

To volunteer for blood donation, you must first contact your local donation center to find out if you are eligible. If approved, the donation center will tell you where to donate. of AABB And American Red Cross Both have tools to help you find a donation site. You can also check The battle is within us It will help you determine if you are eligible for a donation and where to go.

Risks and side effects of plasma donation

Although donating plasma is considered relatively safe for most people, there are some risks and potential side effects that you should be aware of before donating, just in case. Providing plasma is different from providing blood. This is the second step, sending blood back into the body. This step carries some risks over standard blood donations.

First of all, it is necessary to lose body fluid to give plasma, Dehydration after donation.. If you donate, be sure to hydrate well before and after donating plasma.

There is also a risk of infection, bruise, or slight pain at the point of needle stick.

Besides that, there are some serious problems that can occur with plasma blood donation compared to blood donation. At first, Citric acid reactionThis is from the citrate added to your blood during the plasma extraction process. Not everyone responds to it, but it is possible.

Hemolysis Another condition in which red blood cells are destroyed during the donation process and harmful proteins leak into the bloodstream. Finally, another complication that can occur during plasma donation is Air embolismThis can be fatal and usually occurs when air bubbles escape from the plasma donor and enter the bloodstream, usually due to malfunction.

Despite the risks and side effects, donating plasma when you have a coronavirus can help others fight and recover from the virus. If you fall into the camp, consider making a donation, as it can save the lives of others.

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The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only, not for health or medical advice. Always consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider if you have questions about your medical condition or health goals.