What is convalescent plasma?When a person has COVID-19, their body produces antibodies that fight the coronavirus.
These proteins float in plasma, the liquid component of blood.The antibodies can be harvested from patients who have recovered and injected into the blood of others to help them fight the same infection.The idea isn't new -- so-called "passive immunization" -- was first tried out against diphtheria in 1892 and later against the 1918 flu pandemic.Is it safe and effective? The research into these questions is ongoing, but some early signs have been encouraging.In June, the Mayo Clinic analyzed the safety of plasma following transfusion in a group of 20,000 COVID-19 patients, finding extremely low rates of side-effects such as.