Imagine that someone has had a serious accident or has undergone a major surgery and has lost a lot of blood. At such a time, the body can go into a dangerous state called 'shock'. This can even be life-threatening. In such an emergency, today we are talking about a very important medicine that helps save the patient's life. That is the Plasma Protein Fraction vaccine.
Simply put, what is Plasma Protein Fraction (PPF)?
Although this is a bit of a complicated name, what it does is very simple. Plasma Protein Fraction, or PPF for short, is a plasma volume expander .
Now, what happens when a large amount of blood is suddenly lost from our body (e.g., a serious accident, burn, major surgery)? The amount of blood circulating in our blood vessels, that is , blood volume, suddenly decreases. Then, blood pressure drops dangerously, and the blood supply to vital organs in our body, such as the brain, heart, and kidneys, is disrupted. In medical terms, we call this condition 'shock.'
This is where the PPF vaccine comes in. When this fluid is injected into the body through a vein, it quickly restores the volume of fluid lost in the blood vessels. It's like filling a tank with water. This helps restore blood pressure, restores blood flow to vital organs, and helps save the patient's life.
How is this medicine given?
This is a very important point. PPF is not a medicine that you can buy from a pharmacy and use at home.
- Method of administration: This is given as an intravenous injection.
- Place of administration: This treatment is only given in a medical facility, such as a hospital or clinic .
- Administering Person: This vaccine is given by a doctor or a specially trained nurse . This means that it is administered under complete medical supervision.
This is not a daily medication. It is only given in case of emergency, so the term 'missing a dose' does not apply here.
Things to tell your doctor before undergoing PPF treatment
Before starting this treatment, it is very important for your safety to inform your doctor about some of your health conditions, as this medicine is not suitable for everyone.
- If you have heart failure: If you have heart failure, adding too much fluid to your body at once can put extra strain on your heart. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor about this.
- If you have low red blood cells (anemia): If you have low blood count, that is, anemia, you should also tell us about it.
- If you have any allergies: If you have any allergies to this PPF, or to any other medicine, food, or sometimes a dye used in medicine, be sure to tell us about it.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant: Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: If you are a breastfeeding mother, that is what you should say.
By giving this information to the doctor, he can safely decide whether or not to give you this treatment, and if so, how to give it.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like any medication, PPF can cause some side effects. However, since this medication is given in a hospital, the medical team is ready to treat any problems quickly.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that require immediate attention | |
| Allergic Reactions | If you experience symptoms such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing, tell your doctor or nurse immediately. |
| Low Blood Pressure | If you experience severe dizziness, blurred vision, fainting, or extreme fatigue , inform your doctor or nurse immediately. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious | |
| Backache, headache, nausea | These usually go away after a while, but if they persist or are bothersome, let your doctor know. |
| Facial flushing | The face may turn red when the medicine is given. This also usually goes away on its own. |
How is this created?
It is important to know this. PPF is made from human blood plasma . It is extracted from blood donated by blood donors. Therefore, before undergoing this treatment, be sure to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
What to do if you overdose?
As this medicine is given in a hospital setting, under medical supervision, the risk of an overdose is very low. The medical team will continue to monitor your condition. However, if you suspect that something has happened, inform the doctor or nurse immediately. In general, if you take too much of a medicine, we advise you to contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . However, since this is a medicine given in a hospital setting, it is best to inform the medical team directly. If you have an accident and are admitted to hospital, you will most likely be admitted to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) . All treatment there will be under medical supervision.
Take-Home Message
- Plasma Protein Fraction (PPF) is a special fluid given to treat shock, a condition that occurs when a large amount of blood is lost from the body during emergencies such as accidents and surgeries.
- This is only given in a hospital, under medical supervision, through an injection into a vein. It is not a medicine to take home.
- It is imperative that you tell your doctor about any other medical conditions (especially heart disease) and allergies you have before prescribing medication.
- Since this is made from human blood plasma, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits before treatment.
- If you experience any discomfort, allergic symptoms (itching, swelling), or extreme dizziness while taking the medicine, inform the doctor or nurse immediately.
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