Blood plasma contains 90% water and makes up 55% of total blood volume. It carries blood cells and proteins throughout the body to play an important role in the immune system. Plasma therapy involves injecting the blood plasma from a recovered person into one currently suffering from the same infectious disease to help the immune system fight it. The WHO has not certified its efficacy against COVID-19 but some positive results were seen in China and India is also using it to help fight the pandemic by having recovered patients donate plasma.

1. Plasma Therapy
Science and Technology.
GS-III

2. Let’s begin with a question
Consider the following two statements:
a) Blood plasma contains a dismal amount of water.
b) It plays an important role in the body’s immune system because it carries the cells and
proteins throughout the body.
Which of the above mentioned statements are true with regards to Blood Plasma?
1) Only (a)
2) Only (b)
3) Both (a) and (b).
4) Neither (a) nor (b).

3. What is blood plasma ?
• It is the liquid part of blood which contains 90% water. It forms 55% of
total blood volume.
• It carries blood cells including immune cells throughout the body along
with other vital components like electrolytes, hormones, CO2 etc.
• It is yellowish in colour.

4. What is plasma therapy?
• Also known as Convalescent Plasma Therapy.
• Under this therapy, the blood plasma of a person who is recovered from a
particular infectious disease is injected into a person suffering from that
disease or into those who are susceptible to that disease.

6. What does who say about its efficacy?
• WHO has considered its potential in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
But it has not certified or guaranteed its efficacy against the SARS-Cov2.
• In China, the plasma therapy has shown positive results against COVID-
19. India has also decided to use this therapy to fight against the newly
emerged pandemic.
• Many patients who recovered from COVID 19 are donating their blood
plasma in India which may help us in fast recovery and saving more lives.

7. Thank you !
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