10TV: Urgent Need for Convalescent Plasma

We've all heard about giving blood before, but did you know you can donate your plasma too? Right now, there is an ask for confirmed COVID-19 survivors, who have been symptom free for at least 14 days, to consider donating theirs. This convalescent plasma, a special component of the blood, is now becoming a major factor for treating critically ill COVID-19 patients.   

So how exactly does it work? Joseph Gastaldo, MD, OhioHealth system medical director, infectious diseases, spoke with 10TV to break it down for us. 

"The whole theory is that when you recover from COVID-19, your body produces antibodies. In that situation, we call that special component of the blood convalescent plasma," said Dr. Gastaldo in an interview with 10TV's Tracy Townsend. 

After the plasma is donated, these antibodies are used to help attack the virus within the bodies of critically ill COVID-19 patients. Frontline workers across the state are requesting donations. If you have recovered from a confirmed case of COVID-19, you're older than 17 and you have been symptom-free for at least 14 days, you could be eligible to donate. 

COVID-19 survivors can click here for more information.