How is plasma being used to help COVID patients?

Plasma has been used for many years to treat people during disease outbreaks as well as those with specific medical conditions. In the past, plasma has been used to help patients fight the 1918 flu, polio, measles, rabies, hepatitis B, Ebola, and more recently SARS and MERS.

Plasma containing high levels of antibodies (high titer levels) is infused into hospitalized COVID patients, early in their disease progression, to help their immune system fight off the disease. Plasma used for this treatment comes from people who have recovered from COVID-19. The antibodies in the plasma of donors offer some protection and help kick start the recipient’s own immune system.

What is plasma?

Plasma is the liquid portion of blood, and it is easily replaced by your body after collection. When separated out from the blood, it is an amber (or mustard) color, rather than red. Plasma consists mainly of water, proteins and antibodies. Most COVID-19 survivors have specific antibodies in their plasma that could help others fight the virus. This plasma in COVID survivors is known as COVID convalescent plasma (CCP). The level of antibodies in plasma varies from donor to donor.

How has the use of plasma changed over the past year?

When COVID first appeared, there were no known treatments available to help patients recover. Over one year later, there are still many unknowns and few treatments available. Because plasma has been used safely in the past to help patients recover from other illnesses, physicians around the world mounted efforts early on to use plasma from recovered patients to help those suffering from the disease. At the beginning of the pandemic, plasma was often given as a last effort to treat the most critical patients. Antibody levels in each donation of plasma were not tracked effectively, and clinical trials looking at how to best use plasma were in the earliest stages.

What scientists have learned over time, and through clinical trials, is that plasma with the highest levels of antibodies is most effective when given to patients early on in their disease progression. This is how it is effectively being used today. The latest Emergency Use Authorization explains the conditions under which plasma may be used as a treatment. It has been updated to reflect the latest research.

The EUA authorizes only the use of high titer COVID-19 convalescent plasma, for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, early in the course of disease. A patient fact sheet about plasma treatment is available, here. If a patient has been recently hospitalized, plasma may be helpful in their recovery. Additional updates to the EUA may be contemplated, as scientists learn more, including the potential use of plasma in non-hospitalized patients.

Can I help other people who are infected with COVID to recover by donating plasma?

Yes. If you have recovered from COVID-19, you can donate your COVID convalescent plasma (CCP) to help others. Every plasma donation can save up to 3 lives! Please consider making a plasma donation to help those in need. You may give multiple times! For locations where you can donate plasma, see: https://thefightisinus.com/.

All blood products are in demand. Right now, due to the efforts of Survivor Corps and its many partner organizations, there is a national supply of plasma that will last for a few months, but other blood products like whole blood, Red Blood Cells and Platelets are desperately needed. If you can donate, please find a blood center near you and sign up today. Look HERE for a location near you.

How does Plasma donation differ from blood donation?

When you donate blood, whole units of blood are removed from the body. When you donate plasma, it is collected through an automated process known as apheresis or plasmapheresis. Plasma is separated from the blood, and other blood components are returned to your body, including red blood cells and platelets. Antibodies needed to treat COVID patients are found in the plasma.

Does donating plasma reduce my own antibody levels?

No, plasma donation will not lower your own antibody levels. In a healthy adult, the immune system is able to create new antibodies and replace your donated plasma within 48 hours. Whether or not you donate plasma, it is expected that antibody levels will fall naturally in all people after some months.

Where can I find information about where to make a plasma donation in my area?

Survivor Corps is a complete resource hub for information about plasma donation locations and research trials. Enter your zip code and information into the Plasma donation locators to find a list of donation locations near you that are accepting COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma for treatment and research purposes.

What should I do before donating plasma or blood?

The loss of blood or plasma can lead to dehydration and cause some people to feel lightheaded during or after donation. It is important to drink plenty of liquids, have a snack and stick to mild activity after donating.

Remember to bring identification with you when you go to donate.

Is donating plasma safe?

Yes. Plasma donation is not new, and your plasma will be taken by a trained professional. When you donate plasma, you will be asked to answer some preliminary health screening questions for your protection. You will also be asked for identification. More information is available at your blood or plasma collection center.

Does it cost anything to donate?

No. Your plasma is a gift to someone in need.

How long do I have to be symptom-free to donate?

Please check with the center where you sign up. The most recent FDA guidance requires donors to be at least 14 days symptom-free, and to have a documented PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test indicating that you tested positive for COVID-19 or a positive antibody test. Some centers may require that you be 28 days symptom-free. If you still have a fever, body aches, cough etc. you are NOT symptom-free, even if you are generally feeling better. Check with your doctor if you have questions about whether you are fully recovered.

How often can I donate plasma or blood?

You can donate plasma multiple times. Depending on the location, you may be able to donate weekly. Blood donations require a longer waiting period between donations. Please ask at the location you make your donation.

What will happen when I donate plasma?

The plasma collection process takes about 30-60 minutes. It is very safe and generally pain-free. Highly trained professionals take great care to minimize any possible discomfort. On rare occasions, some donors might feel faint or weak. Staff at collection centers are trained to recognize and deal with any adverse event that might occur. Please eat a healthy meal 3 hours prior to donation, and drink plenty of water the day before - and the day of - your donation. You can donate plasma multiple times.

Can I donate blood or plasma after receiving the COVID vaccine, plasma treatment or monoclonal antibody treatment?

Individuals who have never been infected with COVID-19 and have received a COVID-19 vaccine cannot donate plasma. This is to ensure that the COVID convalescent plasma collected from donors contains antibodies directly related to their immune responses to COVID-19 infection, rather than the vaccine itself. However, some centers may accept donations from people who received the vaccine if they also had symptoms of COVID-19 and a positive test result AND received the COVID-19 vaccine after diagnosis of COVID-19, AND are within 6 months after complete resolution of COVID-19 symptoms. Please contact the blood collection center near you for more details.

Individuals who received monoclonal antibody therapy or CCP treatment may not donate plasma until at least three months after receipt of the therapy.

Blood donation is accepted from those who receive the COVID-19 vaccination. If you’ve received a COVID-19 vaccine, you’ll need to provide the manufacturer name when you come to donate. There is no wait time for eligible blood donors who are vaccinated with a non-replicating inactivated or RNA-based COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca, Janssen/J&J, Moderna, Novavax, or Pfizer. Eligible blood donors who received a live attenuated COVID-19 vaccine or do not know what type of COVID-19 vaccine they received must wait two weeks before giving blood.

Can women donate plasma?

Yes, women can donate plasma. If you are pregnant now - or have been pregnant in the past 6 weeks - you cannot donate. Plasma taken from women who have been pregnant in the past will be tested for antibodies to Human Leukocyte Antigen [HLA]. If the test is positive, these women cannot donate plasma for treatment purposes, but they can donate their plasma to be used in the development of a potential COVID treatment called hyperimmune globulin (HIg). You may also still be eligible to donate blood.

What is HLA and why am I hearing it can prevent women from donating plasma?

Women who have been pregnant in the past may have been exposed to HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) from their baby’s blood during pregnancy or delivery. These may also be referred to as “white blood cell antibodies".” If exposed, these women may develop HLA antibodies in reaction to this exposure. HLA antibodies are not harmful to the mother, however they can be harmful to the recipient of a plasma donation.

HLA antibodies have been linked to TRALI (Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury) which is a harmful complication that can occur in the plasma recipient. In order to reduce TRALI incidents, donations from female plasma donors - that are intended for use as a patient therapy or treatment - must test negative for HLA antibodies. If a Blood Center does not have the capacity to perform this HLA test, they will not take donations from women who have been pregnant in the past.

If a woman tests positive for HLA antibodies, she will always test positive. HLA antibodies will not dissipate with time. If you are donating for research purposes, you can donate plasma - even if you test positive for HLA antibodies. You may also still be eligible to donate blood.

If I have COVID-19, how can I receive convalescent plasma treatment?

Talk to your physician. You must be hospitalized to receive plasma treatment. Recent studies imply that the earlier you receive treatment, the better.

You may also gain access to convalescent plasma by enrolling in a clinical trial that seeks to find answers about the effectiveness of administering plasma to COVID-19 patients. Patients are being recruited to participate in these studies at many different medical facilities. To receive plasma treatment, you must either enter a controlled medical trial or receive permission through the Emergency Use Authorization. Trials and more information are listed here.