UPSC » UPSC CSE Study Materials » Science and Technology » Convalescent Plasma Therapy

Convalescent Plasma Therapy

Convalescent plasma therapy has been used to treat other viral diseases, such as Ebola, SARS and MERS.

Convalescent plasma therapy is currently being used as a treatment for severe cases of Covid19. This therapy involves the transfusion of convalescent plasma from recovered patients into those who are still ill. So far, the effectiveness of convalescent plasma therapy in severe Covid19 patients has been impressive. In this blog post, we will discuss what convalescent plasma therapy is and how it is being used to treat Covid19 patients.

What is convalescent plasma therapy?

Convalescent plasma therapy is a treatment that uses the blood plasma from people who have recovered from a virus to treat people who are still sick. The convalescent plasma contains antibodies that can help fight the virus. The convalescent plasma is collected from donors who have recovered from the virus and have developed antibodies against it. The convalescent plasma is then transfused into patients who are still sick.

Use of Convalescent Plasma Therapy

Convalescent plasma therapy has been used to treat other viral diseases, such as Ebola, SARS and MERS. Convalescent plasma therapy has also been used to treat severe covid19 patients. Early studies on the effectiveness of convalescing plasma therapy in severe covid19 patients are promising. The convalescent plasma is collected from donors who have recovered from the virus and have developed antibodies against it. The convalescent plasma is then transfused into patients who are still sick.

Principles of Convalescent Plasma Therapy:

Convalescent plasma therapy is based on the principle of passive immunity. Passive immunity is when antibodies are transferred from one individual to another. In convalescent plasma therapy, convalescent plasma (which contains high levels of antibodies) is transfused into a patient with a serious infection. The hope is that the transfusion will provide the patient with enough antibodies to help fight the infection and improve their condition.

Convalescent plasma therapy is not a new concept. It was first used during the 1918 flu pandemic and has been used for other infectious diseases, such as measles, hepatitis B and SARS. However, convalescent plasma therapy has not been rigorously studied in clinical trials and its effectiveness is still unknown.

Effectiveness of convalescent plasma therapy in severe covid19 patients:

There are a few ongoing clinical trials studying convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19, but the results will not be available for some time. In the meantime, convalescent plasma therapy is being used on a compassionate basis for patients with serious or life-threatening COVID-19.

A convalescent plasma is a product of blood that contains antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19. These antibodies are produced by people who have recovered from the infection. The convalescent plasma is collected from these individuals and then transfused into patients with severe or life-threatening COVID-19.

The hope is that the convalescent plasma will help these patients fight off the infection and improve their chances of recovery. There is some evidence that convalescent plasma therapy may be helpful in treating other viral infections, such as Ebola and SARS. However, the effectiveness of convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19 has not been proven yet.

How can one donate convalescent plasma?

If you have recovered from COVID-19 and would like to donate convalescent plasma, you can contact your local blood bank or convalescent plasma donation centre. 

What are the eligibility requirements for convalescent plasma donors?

To be eligible to donate convalescent plasma, you must: 

– Be between the ages of 18 and 64 

– Be in good general health 

– Be feeling well 

– Have fully recovered from COVID-19 (i.e., have a negative test result at least 14 days after symptom onset) 

– Have antibodies to the SARS-CoV-19 virus in your blood 

If you meet all of the above criteria, you may be eligible to donate convalescent plasma. For more information, please contact your local blood bank or convalescent plasma donation centre. 

What are the benefits of convalescent plasma therapy?

The main benefit of convalescent plasma therapy is that it has the potential to help patients with severe COVID-19. If the clinical trials currently underway prove that convalescent plasma is effective, it could be a life-saving treatment for patients with severe COVID-19. 

Conclusion:

So, convalescent plasma therapy is a potentially life-saving treatment for severe COVID-19 patients. However, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness. Also, convalescent plasma is in short supply, so it’s not always available to everyone who needs it. If you or a loved one are hospitalized with COVID-19, ask your doctor if convalescent plasma therapy is an option. That’s all for now! I hope this article was helpful in explaining convalescent plasma therapy. If you or a loved one are hospitalized with COVID-19, talk to your doctor about whether convalescent plasma therapy may be right for you.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the UPSC Examination Preparation.

What is convalescent plasma therapy?

Ans : Convalescent plasma therapy is a treatment that uses blood from individuals who have healed f...Read full

How is convalescent plasma therapy administered?

Ans : Convalescent plasma is collected from donors who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibo...Read full

What are the risks associated with convalescent plasma therapy?

Ans : There are no known risks associated with convalescent plasma therapy. However, as with any me...Read full

Is convalescent plasma therapy effective for Covid-19?

Ans : There is currently no evidence to suggest that convalescent plasma therapy is effective for C...Read full