How effective is convalescent plasma when treating COVID-19?
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Updated: 2:00 PM CST Feb 2, 2021
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Updated: 2:00 PM CST Feb 2, 2021
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THE EXPERTS FOR THE ANSWERS. >> IT SEEMS TO BE LESS HELPFUL WHEN YOU ARE GIVING IT LATE IN THE COURSE OF THE ILLNESS. >> IT IS STILL BEING EVALUATED IN VARIOUS CLINICAL TRIALS.- SHELBY: THE CHIEF MEDICALS.- OFFICER FOR THE OKLAHOMA BLOOD INSTITUTE TELLING KOCO 5 THAT IT MAY NOT BE A CURE OR, RESEARCH FROM THE MAYO CLINIC SAYS IT WILL HELP. >> IF YOU GIVE IT WITHIN THREE DAYS OF HOSPITAL ADMISSION COME IT DOES HELP IN TERMS OF NEUTRALIZING COVID-19 ANTIBODIES THAT MIGHT HELP THE PATIENT FIGHT OFF THE INFECTION. SHELBY: THAT IS SOMETHING LISA FOSTER KNOWS ALL TOO WELL. HER HUSBAND DIED LAST MONTH BUT SHE SAID THE COPPOLA SAID PLASMA -- CONVALESCENT PLASMA GAVE HIM TIME. FOSTER VOWING TO GIVE BLOOD AND PLASMA. >> WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE SELFLESS DONORS WHO GAVE THE PLASMA THAT HE RECEIVED. IT GAVE US HOPE. SHELBY: HOW DOES IT WORK? >> WHAT YOU’RE DOING IS GIVING ANTIBODIES WHICH ARE ATTACKING THE VIRUS. THE STUDIES OUT SO FAR SHOW THAT THE EARLY USE OF THIS PLASMA IS EFFECTIVE AT REDUCING SOME OF THE COMPLICATIONS OF COVID-19. IT APPEARS TO BE LESS EFFECTIVE IF IT IS GIVEN LATE IN THE COURSE OF THE ILLNESS. SHELBY: THOSE ANTIBODIES ARE THE BEST JUST WEEKS AFTER YOU RECOVER FROM THE VIRUS. IF YOU GET THE VACCINE, YOU CANNOT GIVE THE PLASMA. IF YOU GET THE PFIZER OR MODERNA VACCINE, YOU STILL CAN GIVE BLOOD. EVAN: YOU CAN JOIN SHELBY, JASON, AND OTHERS EVERY WEEK DAY MORNING. THEY WILL BE BRINGING YOU IMPORTANT INTERVIE