Tom Hanks donated "plasma" after recovering from Covid-19. I thought plasma was history because it wasn't as good as whole blood.
I think you should ask the people running your local hospital's blood bank and/or a hematologist. They can give you the straight story.
Salomj9850 wrote:
I think you should ask the people running your local hospital's blood bank and/or a hematologist. They can give you the straight story.
I keep calling, but I get a recording about them being busy saving lives. Some service!
Actually, I wanted to give people here a chance to show their knowledge of such things. Let's face it, there is no reason for UU to exist because we have Google. It's a social site.
Plasma is the clear, straw-colored liquid portion of blood that remains after red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and other cellular components are removed. It is the single largest component of human blood, comprising about 55 percent, and contains water, salts, enzymes, antibodies and other proteins.
NCMtnMan
Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC
Doctors have found that plasma collected from recovered Covid-19 patients is helpful in treating those who are seriously ill with Covid-19.
NCMtnMan wrote:
Doctors have found that plasma collected from recovered Covid-19 patients is helpful in treating those who are seriously ill with Covid-19.
Not exactly. They are trying to determine if it is. There is no evidence yet that the anti-bodies are effective in preventing infection or re-infection. Plasma is where the anti-bodies are carried. If the anti-bodies do in fact have an effect on Covid 19 then the plasma could become useful. So blood banks are asking for donations so that the blood can be studied. Potentially, the blood can be spun with a centrifuge and plasma, red cells and white cells can all be seperated and be of benefit to 3 different people.
You can donate blood every 6 weeks... But, you can donate plasma every 6 days!
sb
Loc: Florida's East Coast
Jaackil wrote:
Not exactly. They are trying to determine if it is. There is no evidence yet that the anti-bodies are effective in preventing infection or re-infection. Plasma is where the anti-bodies are carried. If the anti-bodies do in fact have an effect on Covid 19 then the plasma could become useful. So blood banks are asking for donations so that the blood can be studied. Potentially, the blood can be spun with a centrifuge and plasma, red cells and white cells can all be seperated and be of benefit to 3 different people.
Not exactly. They are trying to determine if it is... (
show quote)
Well, yes, exactly. Not as a preventive, but plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID is being used to treat those seriously ill with COVID. Since plasma is mostly water, plasma can be donated three times a week - the red blood cells of the donor being returned to them during that process.
The plasma from recovered corona virus patients contains corona virus antibodies that, when given to corona virus patients, help their immune system fight the virus. At least that is the theory.
Thanks for all the info. We have some well-informed people here.
Louis in QC wrote:
You can donate blood every 6 weeks... But, you can donate plasma every 6 days!
Really? The plasma can be separated from the blood as it is drawn? I thought the separation of plasma, platelets, etc. was done after.
Dannj wrote:
Really? The plasma can be separated from the blood as it is drawn? I thought the separation of plasma, platelets, etc. was done after.
It's call plasmapheresis. Plasma is separated during the process, by a machine. The RBCs, WBCs are returned to the donor. Takes a lot longer than just giving a pint.
drobvit wrote:
It's call plasmapheresis. Plasma is separated during the process, by a machine. The RBCs, WBCs are returned to the donor. Takes a lot longer than just giving a pint.
Thank you...didn’t know that👍
drobvit wrote:
It's call plasmapheresis. Plasma is separated during the process, by a machine. The RBCs, WBCs are returned to the donor. Takes a lot longer than just giving a pint.
I used to participate in plateletpheresis where they only remove platelets and a small amount of plasma.
Tha machine has a centrifuge in it that separates the platelets. The rest is returned to the donor. Took around two hours.
Don't do it any longer due to of of my meds.
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