US FDA authorizes to use blood plasma for Covid-19 treatment

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of America has authorized the use of blood plasma from the COVID-19 survivors. It will be used to treat the disease. As stated by the FDA, it can decrease the mortality of the patients as well as improve the health condition if it is used within the first three days of hospitalization.

What is Blood Plasma?

• Blood plasma is a yellowish fluid component of blood that circulates the cells and proteins throughout the body. About 55% of the body’s total blood volume is blood plasma.
• It protects the body from infections caused by foreign objects and other disorders by balancing electrolyte concentration through an intravascular osmotic effect.

How do we get plasma from blood?

Blood plasma could be separated from the blood by spinning it in a tube with an anticoagulant in a centrifuge till the blood cells fall to the bottom area.

What is Plasma Therapy?

In medical science, it is known as convalescent plasma therapy that uses the blood plasma of a recovered patient to create antibodies on infected patients.

Plasma Therapy and COVID-19

Some positive results have been found so far in Delhi and Mumbai, but it required more research work to understand its efficiency in different types of patients.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2020