Plasma is the component of our blood that carries cells and proteins through our bodies. It also contains antibodies for diseases we are immune from. If we successfully fought Covid-19 then our blood plasma could help other people become immune from it too. The FDA would like us to donate Covid-19 plasma to give others hope provided we are already immune from the virus.
We Could Share our Victory After We Donate Covid-19 Plasma
There is no approved treatment for the disease yet. Therefore we should consider sharing the antibodies in our plasma if we are in full recovery ourselves. The technology is still in test phase. If we don’t donate our samples then the research cannot continue.
However, not everybody who recovered from the disease may donate Covid-19 plasma. Eligible donors must first:
1… Be able to donate blood according to American Red Cross standards
2… Have a prior diagnosis of Covid-19 documented by a laboratory test
3… Have complete resolution of Covid-19 for at least twenty-eight days
4… OR, Be fully recovered for fourteen days and have a negative lab test
I Haven’t Had Covid-19 But Can I Still Help Fight the Disease?
Of course you can! Your single donation could save as many as three lives. North America’s blood supply is under strain due to increased pressure from the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, lock downs and social distancing have throttled foot traffic to blood donation centers.
We should emphasize treatment of Covid-19 symptoms with immune blood transfusions is still in alpha test stage. We will only know if it is safe and effective after thorough testing. This is not a get-out-of-jail-card allowing us to relax our guard.
We must remain vigilant throughout these difficult times we are passing through. We append a link to the National Expanded Access Treatment Protocol rolling out blood plasma treatments, in case you are in a position to donate Covid-19 plasma.
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Preview Image: Membrane Filters for Blood Plasma
