How does convalescent plasma help patients with COVID-19?

Saria Saccocio, MD

Family Medicine

New treatments and therapies are being developed as we learn more about COVID-19. One treatment that has shown promise is the use of convalescent plasma.

“We’re seeing people recover quicker when they receive a donation of plasma from people who have recovered from the illness,” said Saria Saccocio, MD, Ambulatory Chief Medical Officer at Prisma Health.

Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood. It contains antibodies which the body uses to fight off infection. The donated plasma can be made into convalescent serum and given to hospitalized patients who are very sick with COVID-19.

Will donating plasma slow my recovery?

Although some people might be hesitant to donate blood right after recovering from the illness, Dr. Saccocio said donating plasma does not weaken the donor’s immune system.

“The first 90 days are when your antibodies will be the strongest, so about 14 days after recovering – after you’re feeling much better. At that point you can begin to donate your plasma to protect others,” she said.

Convalescent plasma helps patients who have the greatest risk of dying – those with more severe illness, and those who are severely immunocompromised.

What are the criteria to donate?

To donate convalescent plasma, donors must be at least 14 days symptom-free and will be asked to provide documentation of a positive COVID-19 test result or antibody test.

The process of donating plasma takes a little over an hour. That includes completing a questionnaire and a mini-physical, the donation itself (30–45 minutes) and a 15-minute wait period before leaving the facility. 

Dr. Saccocio said donating plasma is a great way to give back. “We recognize this is a precious resource, and we just simply don’t have enough. If you want to do something for your community, this is one easy way to do it.”