With the spread of COVID-19, doctors and scientists have been implementing old methods of practice. Namely this outlined plan of action described by the FDA that consists of a blood transfusion treatment. It is hoped that this level of treatment will help those affected with symptoms to have an alleviation of said symptoms through the treatment.
“One investigational treatment being explored for COVID-19 is the use of convalescent plasma collected from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. Convalescent plasma that contains antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) is being studied for administration to patients with COVID-19. Use of convalescent plasma has been studied in outbreaks of other respiratory infections, including the 2003 SARS-CoV-1 epidemic, the 2009-2010 H1N1 influenza virus pandemic, and the 2012 MERS-CoV epidemic.
Although promising, convalescent plasma has not yet been shown to be safe and effective as a treatment for COVID-19. Therefore, it is important to study the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 convalescent plasma in clinical trials.”
As doctors move forward with this level of treatment it must be stated that although this method is being used; Since 2003 has not been approved by the FDA for a primary level of treatment for those with SARS style respiratory infections. Cautioning citizens to seek other means of treatment. Either rudimentary or proffesional it is advised that anyone holding symptoms should seek treatment. For access to this level of treatment you can follow theses guidelines laid out by the FDA.
“Although participation in clinical trials or an expanded access program are ways for patients to obtain access to convalescent plasma, for various reasons these may not be readily available to all patients in potential need. Therefore, given the public health emergency that the COVID-19 pandemic presents, while clinical trials are being conducted and an expanded access protocol is available, FDA also is facilitating access to COVID-19 convalescent plasma for use in patients with serious or immediately life-threatening COVID-19 infections through the process of the patient’s physician requesting a single patient emergency IND (eIND) for the individual patient under 21 CFR 312.310. This process allows the use of an investigational drug for the treatment of an individual patient by a licensed physician upon FDA authorization, if the applicable regulatory criteria are met.”
While there may be waiting time to receive treatment, it has been proven since the 1800’s that this treatment does and can work for the leveling off from these harmful diseases such as measles, SARS, Ebola, H1N1 flu, and polio—and holds the promise of keeping the virus at bay until a vaccine can be developed.
We will keep you updated on further treatments that will battle COVID-19.
