Coronavirus has now reached a level where it is posing a threat to global human security. The pandemic is getting out of control and has cost a death toll of more than 500,000 people around the world. Since the process of inventing a vaccine which is not only effective but is also cheap and accessible for the masses. Until that day arrives, plasma therapy for coronavirus is the only hope which many critically ill corona patients have.
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What is plasma therapy for coronavirus?
Plasma therapy for coronavirus is not a treatment that is based on approved drugs. It is simply the process of introducing plasma (the liquid portion of the blood) of recovered corona patients into the blood of people who are critically ill with coronavirus.
The foundation of plasma therapy for coronavirus is based on the fact that corona recovered people have antibodies in their blood which helped them in fighting against the virus in the first place. For people whose immune system is not as strong itself can benefit from plasma injection as that would trigger the process of antibody multiplication in their bodies artificially.
Should every corona patient get plasma therapy?
The simple answer to this question is ‘no’. The detailed answer is that it depends upon the condition of every patient. Plasma therapy is actually the last resort for people whose immune system is so weak that the symptoms of corona are uncontrollable through other medications. It is considered the first option for people who are already immunocompromised and are at risk of going into the critical stages of the disease.
The whole process of getting plasma is very simple. You just need a donor who has the same blood group as you and has been corona negative for at least 28 days.
How to get plasma therapy in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, you can get plasma therapy only if you are in a critical condition. If your physician prescribes plasma therapy, you will need to first find a donor. The fastest way to find donors is to get on social media. oladoc has a very active Facebook group by the name of Doctor Consultation and Health Advice which has around 55k members. Out of these 55 k members, 50+ are doctors who are there to guide and address any queries you might have in general or related to plasma therapy. With such a large and active community, you can find donors very quickly by posting on this group.
Another Facebook group by the name of Corona Recovered Warriors is dedicated to helping people find donors. The group caters to around 600 plasma transactions per day and has members from all over Pakistan.
Other sources of plasma can be the usual blood banks in hospitals or people in your own social and familial circle. You should, however, keep in mind that only trained doctors can administer plasma therapy and you should consult a doctor before starting to find plasma. You can book an appointment with internal medicine specialists in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad through oladoc.com, by downloading the oladoc app or by calling at 042-38900939.
