Have you ever wondered how great it would be if the fighting ability of a person who has recovered from a certain disease could be used to help someone who is still suffering from that disease? It's not science fiction. There is such a treatment in medicine. Today we are going to talk about that wonderful treatment. It is called Convalescent Plasma Therapy.
Simply put, what is Convalescent Plasma?
This is very easy to understand. Imagine that you have an infection, for example a serious virus, entering your body. Your body's defense system, called the immune system, starts to fight this enemy. They make special weapons for this fight. We call these weapons antibodies . These antibodies know exactly how to recognize and destroy that virus.
Now, in the body of a person who has completely recovered from the disease (convalesced), there are a large number of antibodies made against that virus in the blood. In Convalescent Plasma treatment, cells such as red blood cells and white blood cells are removed from the blood taken from such a recovered person, and only the liquid part that is full of antibodies is separated. This liquid part of the blood is what we call plasma .
This antibody-rich plasma is then given to someone who is currently suffering from the same disease. It's like sending an experienced army that has won a war to help a new army that is still fighting.
What kind of diseases is this treatment used for?
This treatment is usually used for viral diseases that are new to the world, that can be severe, and for which there is no vaccine or specific treatment yet. This means that it becomes a valuable option when we don't have other powerful weapons at our disposal.
Here are some of the cases where doctors have used this treatment:
- COVID-19: There was a lot of talk about this treatment early in the pandemic.
- Viral hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola .
- SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome): This is also a severe virus in the coronavirus family.
- Avian influenza.
- H1N1 (swine flu).
Simply put, this is like borrowing the experience of someone who has defeated a new enemy to fight them.
How does this system work inside the body?
The way this works is what we call passive immunity . It's like "borrowed immunity."
Imagine, when a germ like a virus enters our body for the first time, it takes about two to three weeks for our immune system to recognize it and make antibodies against it. During this time, the virus can spread throughout the body and cause severe illness.
But Convalescent Plasma therapy involves giving our bodies some ready-made antibodies from someone who has already fought the disease and developed antibodies. These antibodies start fighting the virus as soon as they enter the body. This gives our own bodies time to develop their own antibodies. In other words, it's like the army that came to help is controlling the battle until our own army is ready.
How is the treatment given?
This is not a major surgery. It's usually a simple procedure like giving a saline solution.
1. Makes you comfortable in a bed or chair.
2. A nurse or doctor will thoroughly clean a vein in your arm.
3. Then a small cannula (IV line) is inserted into that vein. This is just a small puncture.
4. The bag containing the plasma is connected to this cannula.
5. Within an hour or so, this plasma gradually enters your body.
6. When the procedure is complete, the cannula is removed and a small plaster is placed in the area.
7. The doctor will then observe you for a while to see if any side effects occur.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this treatment?
Like any treatment, this one has its benefits and some risks. Let's take a closer look at them.
| Advantages | Risks & Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| It can reduce the severity of the disease and the occurrence of complications. | As with any regular blood transfusion, minor allergic reactions or fever may occur. |
| A valuable treatment that can be used in cases where there are no vaccines or medications for new diseases. | There is a very small chance of infection at the site of cannula insertion. |
| It helps those with weakened immune systems (e.g. cancer patients) and those who do not produce antibodies even after being vaccinated. | Risk of transmission of diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B/C (but this is very rare nowadays because donors and blood are subjected to strict screening). |
| It is generally considered a very safe, low-risk treatment. | Not every patient may have the same successful results. |
How successful is this?
This is the most important question. The success of Convalescent Plasma treatment depends on several factors. The most important one is the timing of the treatment.
- Some studies on COVID-19 have shown that if this treatment is given within the first few days of symptom onset, it can reduce the severity of the illness leading to hospitalization by about 30% - 50%.
- However, other studies have shown that giving this to patients who are already in a very severe state and are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) did not make much difference. This means that this help needs to be given before the damage is done.
- Studies conducted during the Ebola epidemic did not show a significant difference in mortality rates between those who received this treatment and those who did not.
Therefore, this is not a magic bullet that works for every disease and every patient. Its success depends on the nature of the disease, the patient's condition, and the timing of the treatment.
When do you need to talk to the doctor?
If you are given this treatment, or if you have any questions about it, do not hesitate to ask your doctor . If you experience anything unusual after the treatment, such as fever, body aches, or difficulty breathing, you should also report it immediately. The doctor will explain to you what symptoms to watch out for and what to do in an emergency.
Convalescent Plasma therapy is less commonly used for diseases like COVID-19 today, as there are more effective vaccines and antivirals. However, for people with compromised immune systems, doctors may consider it as an option when other treatments are not working.
Take-Home Message
- Convalescent Plasma is the administration of plasma (containing antibodies) from the blood of someone who has recovered from an infection to a sick person.
- This results in passive immunity , which is a temporary, "borrowed" fighting ability for the body.
- This is mainly used for new, severe viral infections for which there are no vaccines or specific drugs.
- Although this treatment is very safe , success depends on early detection and treatment of the disease at an early stage .
- Only your doctor can determine if this is the right treatment for you, so talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
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