The vaccine for COVID-19 is not expected for months and new cases are increasing everyday, which is taking a toll on the countries across the world. People are still praying for a vaccine to be created as a ray of hope to save humankind.?
Doctors and scientists have now found some evidence that those who are worst hit by this disease COVID-19 can benefit from the infusion of blood plasma collected from others who have recovered from Coronavirus.?
There is a limited stat of anecdotal evidence on this from countries like China, the United States and some other countries as well. There are clinical trials going on in some parts to assess how effective this method is against the infection.?
The explanation behind the therapy and how it could be effective in treating patients:?
Plasma therapy involves the transfusing of specific components from the blood of a person who has recovered from COVID-19 virus. This can be done only after 14 days of complete recovery time. The plasma is then injected into people who are very ill with the infection or even people who are at a high risk of contracting coronavirus.?
As reported by Indian express, The patient's bodies engage with COVID-19 and produce antibodies to attack the virus. These antibody proteins are secreted by immune cells called B lymphocytes, which are found in the plasma or the liquid part of the blood that helps in supporting the immune system of the body.?
Once a person recovers, they have these antibodies or ¡®memory cells¡¯ that will stay in their blood waiting to fight the same virus in case the virus comes back. These antibodies, when injected into another person with the disease recognise the virus as ¡®enemies¡¯ and try to kill it.?
In the case of COVID-19, scientists estimate that antibodies attack the spikes on the outside of the virus, this helps in blocking the virus from penetrating human cells and replicating it.?
The estimation of scientists around the treatment of convalescent plasma can be effective in treating people with the most severe symptoms of the virus. It is hoped that this therapy can do wonders for those suffering as well and helps in preventing the condition of those moderately sick with the infection from deteriorating.?
Convalescent plasma is also known as passive therapy. This treatment can provide a person immediate antibodies to fight against the virus. However, these antibodies last only for a short period of time in a patient body therefore the hope is pinned on the body¡¯s ability to develop its own defence against the virus.?
Unlike in the donor body where you will find the antibodies live for a long time. There is no evidence yet but some virologists have said that once infected and recovered, a COVID-19 infected person will never get the disease again but this is not proven yet.?
As per trials, one person¡¯s donation of plasma can produce two doses of blood components which are needed for transfusion. It is also said that one person needs only one transfusion to get enough antibodies to fight the virus.?
This treatment has not been used in India. The treatment which is used in the country for very sick Covid-19 patients in India included a combination of anti-malaria drug Hydroxychloroquine and antibiotic Azithromycin as of now.?