Plasma Therapy

Scientists in different parts of the world are trying hard to develop an antidote against coronavirus that has already created havoc in the major parts of the world. In such a helpless situation, plasma therapy is being seen as a potential treatment for the COVID-19. It has been trusted and tested in major countries.

WHAT IS PLASMA THERAPY?

Convalescent Plasma Therapy uses antibodies from recovered patients. It was discovered in 1918 and first used during the outbreak of Spanish flu (Influenza). 

When our body fights disease, it produces antibodies. In Plasma Therapy, the blood is taken from the recovered patient. It contains antibodies which, thereafter, injected into the body of a person infected from the same disease.

Care must be taken while donating the blood. It must be safe from other diseases otherwise it cannot be used for the treatment. Safe and healthy blood is then used for extracting plasma (the liquid part of blood that contains antibodies). If the plasma is rich in antibodies, then it is injected into the infected patients.

Blood must be taken from those who are physically fit otherwise he won't be able to qualify for plasma donation. The recovered person must be symptom-free in order to donate plasma.

SOME POSSIBLE DRAWBACKS

1. It may influence the natural immune response.
2. Blood from another body can cause infection.
3. May cause disease if the blood is not checked before.

HELPED IN THE PAST

1. Spanish flu outbreak in 1918.
2. H1N1 Infection in 2009.
3. MERS Outbreak in 2015.

PLASMA THERAPY AGAINST COVID-19

The trials were done in China to check the potential of Convalescent Plasma Therapy which showed some improvement in the patient. The researchers say that the treatment is a well-tolerated and clinical improvement is being seen by the way this therapy neutralizes the viruses in our body.

TREATMENT IN INDIA

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has already suggested and agreed with the treatment involving Plasma Therapy. Kerela was the first state to plan the trials. Delhi has recently completed testing Plasma therapy on four COVID-19 patients and the results were promising.

Two patients were Gujarat also gave a promising result after the test. Maharashtra, with the most cases, got approval for testing Plasma Therapy. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said that Plasma Therapy can be the best option to treat people with COVID-19 until a cure for the disease is invented.

With such an incredible option, researchers are still working to find answers to some questions. As the old patients are more, their blood may not be fit for the Therapy. Which person requires how much antibody? Which patient will benefit and which patient is vulnerable to other infections?

Effective treatment lies in the answer. We can hope for the better results from the therapy in future.