List of dos and don’ts for plasma donation

Convalescent plasma therapy is used to treat COVID-19 patients. In this method, plasma is extracted from a recovered person and injected into a patient who is suffering from COVID-19.

In the wake of rising COVID-19 cases, the central government issued guidelines of dos and don’ts for plasma donation.

Here is the list:

• Plasma can be collected from the patients who tested positive for COVID-19 and recovered. They should submit a recent COVID-19 negative report, which is not older than four months. That means, if you tested positive and recovered within four months of the day of donation, then you are eligible to donate your plasma. You should carry a hard copy of the COVID-19 negative report. The COVID test should be done either through RT-PCR or rapid antigen test.
• You should also carry a copy of your Aadhaar card on both the front and backside.
• Symptomatic patients can donate plasma after 14 days of the disappearance of symptoms. In case of asymptomatic, they can do it after 14 days of a COVID-19 positive report.
• Any person who does not have adequate antibodies in the blood cannot donate their plasma.
• Pregnant women cannot donate convalescent plasma.
• If you get vaccinated, you can donate plasma only after 28 days from the date of vaccination.
• Before donating plasma contact hospital authorities for any required information.
• Some websites provide information on plasma. These include: https://covidplasma.online/, https://dhoondh.com and http://needplasma.in/
• The Delhi police launched a digital data bank of plasma donors to ease the process of plasma therapy. This bank helps connect plasma donors with recipients. Those who need plasma can register through a Google form and submit their request. Plasma donors will also need to provide the required details so that they will be contacted in the time of need. You can find relevant links on the official website of the Delhi Police.

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