Does plasma therapy offer hope to treat coronavirus?

There is no doubt that plasma plays a very critical part in dealing with many health problems. Currently, it is being used to treat patients suffering from coronavirus.

Plasma Therapy: Currently, it is being used to treat patients suffering from coronavirus

Is there any chance to cease the pandemic with it? Does plasma therapy treatment offer any prospects to doctors? Several clinical trials are being conducted world over. India also has joined the race to use this protocol.

What is plasma therapy and how bright are its prospects in these trying times? We look at the possibilities and discuss what is being done to activate this century-old treatment.

Key Takeaways:

  • Defining importance of antibodies
  • Therapies involving plasma ingestion
  • Does passive immunization work
  • Risks involved in COVID-19 trials

Plasma: A valuable blood component

We visit diagnostic labs where tests are frequently conducted. Various blood components are checked to determine what is wrong. This fluid contains WBC, RBC and platelets which are examined in sophisticated labs. Plasma is critical and comprises 55% of our blood and it contains water, salts and some enzymes. It is the main carrier of this fluid throughout the body for various functions.
Plasma is critical and comprises 55% of our blood and it contains water, salts, and some enzymes

In appearance it is a cream/yellowish color liquefied part. In the fight against coronavirus, will medical specialists be successful in fighting respiratory infection. At the moment, there is no alternative or evidence as trials are underway. Nonetheless it is known that Convalescent Plasma Therapy may hold the valuable key to a breakthrough.

Passive Immunization: Development of antibodies

Clinical trials are conducted in sophisticated diagnostic labs. Countries like China and the USA have already started the framework for preparing the protocols involving Plasma Therapy Treatment. In the past it has been used to boost immunity. Now, it is being tried to help high risk patients affected by the virus. The recovered person is the ideal candidate to donate plasma antibodies and ingest it in infected medical cases. The medical team works on the premise that this treatment will help others to get cured too. This is also called passive immunization. However, it only works as a preventive measure and not as a full fledged treatment or therapy for COVID-19.

Convalescent Plasma Therapy: How it Works?

The plasma is collected when the person is already infected with the virus. During infection, the blood forms antibodies to keep the foreign pathogen at bay.

The plasma is collected when the person is already infected with the virus

On recovery, the patient donates the plasma to treat other patients. Sufficient blood samples are taken after recovery. It tackles other possible health issues like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or even HIV. John Hopkins University based in the USA has several immunologists working on several trials with Plasma Therapy Treatment.

Risks: Bracing for possible Failures

No matter how advanced clinical trials are with high tech-equipment and devices, the risk of failure is imminent. They include:

  1. Problems during transfusion of plasma antibodies to a patient.
  2. Infection may get enhanced in some cases.
  3. Immune system could get weaker.

Closing thought: It is not the first time Convalescent Plasma Therapy is being used in trials for treating viral infections. In 2015, it was tried containing Ebola virus. Past research says it could be helpful. Let’s hope we get a breakthrough for coronavirus strains.

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