(Rishitha Jaladi, Intern Journalist) New Delhi: Since the COVID-19 outbreak, Scientists and researchers all around the world are working their best, to find out a cure for the Global pandemic. But there’s nothing discovered yet. But one approach to treat the virus is Convalescent Plasma Therapy.
Plasma Therapy is a method in which the plasma, from the already recovered patient of Coronavirus, is collected and injected into the active patient. As the recovered patient’s plasma contains anti-bodies, they will help the active victim to fight back the virus. This method is practiced in India and many other countries. It has helped many active victims for their speedy recovery, including Delhi’s Health Minister.
Yet, it’s not a silver Bullet. Recently, in a study, It’s proved not all COVID victims can be plasma donors. Three among Ten plasma samples conducted gave negative results. Instead of helping the patient fight against the virus, they made the situation even worse. The most important reason for it is, not everyone has enough anti-bodies. If the number of anti-bodies is not sufficient, it may also damage the person’s Immune system. Also, doctors say”If a donor’s anti-bodies are not sufficient, we ask them to come back after two weeks.”
While providing an active Patient with plasma treatment, Doctors make sure that they do it with ABO adaptability and cross-matching the plasma. Donors with IgA deficiency and Immunoglobin allergy are avoided from collecting Plasma. We don’t even know, Whether the less or lack of anti-bodies might trigger the production of more virus particles. Hence, cured patients with less neutralizing anti-bodies may also get affected again. But many patients recovered clinically well and cleared the virus. But the role of Convalescent Plasma Therapy is yet unclear.