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| Graham Elliot believes the antibodies in the plasma may have saved his life |
Graham Elliot, 68, from Peterborough,
was hospitalized earlier this year after contracting coronavirus. After
undergoing treatment, 68-year old Graham Elliot from Peterborough recovered
from the virus.
was hospitalized earlier this year after contracting coronavirus. After
undergoing treatment, 68-year old Graham Elliot from Peterborough recovered
from the virus.
An experimental COVID-19 treatment
using blood plasma from people recovering from the virus may “save
lives” according to a patient who underwent the treatment.
using blood plasma from people recovering from the virus may “save
lives” according to a patient who underwent the treatment.
“I was walking around in slow
motion, and I wasn’t breathing very well,” he told Get View Updates.
“I think I wouldn’t be there if I were left another day.”
motion, and I wasn’t breathing very well,” he told Get View Updates.
“I think I wouldn’t be there if I were left another day.”
Following his hospital admission,
Elliot agreed to take part in an innovative study using donor plasma and
antimicrobials to improve the immune system of the recipient. The plasma is
administered to the patient, via a cannula, in a process that takes about 20
minutes.
Elliot agreed to take part in an innovative study using donor plasma and
antimicrobials to improve the immune system of the recipient. The plasma is
administered to the patient, via a cannula, in a process that takes about 20
minutes.
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| Plasma is administered to patients in a process that takes about 20 minutes |
“For about three days, I felt so
much better,” Elliot continued. “I think my life was saved (the
anticuerpos) and I hope that they will save the lives of other people.”
much better,” Elliot continued. “I think my life was saved (the
anticuerpos) and I hope that they will save the lives of other people.”
The NHS plasma convalescent test is
the world’s largest plasma test. It depends on donations from people who have
recovered from COVID-19, similar to blood donation. To date 10,000 people have
been donated and about 150 patients have received plasma.
the world’s largest plasma test. It depends on donations from people who have
recovered from COVID-19, similar to blood donation. To date 10,000 people have
been donated and about 150 patients have received plasma.
More data are needed to prove its
effectiveness, but a leading scientist says it has “exciting potential to
treat COVID.” Get View Updates
effectiveness, but a leading scientist says it has “exciting potential to
treat COVID.” Get View Updates
Professor Mike Murphy, onsultant
haematologist at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We need to collect
plasma from people who recovered from COVID-19 at least 28 days ago.
haematologist at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We need to collect
plasma from people who recovered from COVID-19 at least 28 days ago.
“We particularly want to collect
from people with high antibodies and from the tests we have found that males
have higher levels of anticodies than females, perhaps because they have more
severe disease symptoms.”
from people with high antibodies and from the tests we have found that males
have higher levels of anticodies than females, perhaps because they have more
severe disease symptoms.”
At present, COVID-19, an anti-inflammatory
medicine called deexamethasones, receives only one treatment. Professor Murphy
said “there is a pressing need for other effective treatments with the
warnings from a second wave of cases in the UK, especially in wintertime”
medicine called deexamethasones, receives only one treatment. Professor Murphy
said “there is a pressing need for other effective treatments with the
warnings from a second wave of cases in the UK, especially in wintertime”
Researchers hope they can say whether
convalescent plasma will be one of them by the end of 2020. So what’s your own
opinion? Leave a comment below.
convalescent plasma will be one of them by the end of 2020. So what’s your own
opinion? Leave a comment below.
