NorthShore is seeking plasma donations from patients who recovered from COVID-19

NorthShore University HealthSystem is recruiting plasma donations from people who had a confirmed case of COVID-19 and have been symptom-free for at least 14 days. This plasma, known as convalescent plasma, may contain high levels of antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19.

The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for this plasma to be administered to hospitalized patients suffering from COVID-19. Similar approaches have been used in the past to treat and prevent other viral infections, including chickenpox, hepatitis B and rabies.

Those interested in becoming donors should call the NorthShore Blood Bank at 847.570.2242. Donated plasma will be used to treat hospitalized patients and as part of ongoing clinical trials to measure the safety and efficacy of this approach.

“The theory behind this is that persons who have recovered from coronavirus infection have immunity that can be transferred to others,” said Leonard J. Kaplan, MD, PhD, noting that this approach has been used with other viral infections with success. “There have been reports of small numbers of patients who may have benefited from this treatment.”

To join this study call the NorthShore Blood Bank at 847.570.2242.