By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A pathologist with Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System is encouraged by the potential use for convalescent plasma among COVID-19 patients at the hospital.
The convalescent plasma, basically what that is, is somebody that's had the disease, they make antibodies to it and fight it off," said Dr. Rex Degner. "I can take their plasma, harvest those antibodies and give that to a patient to just have it help knock down their viral load so they have less of it. It will slow down and ease the disease process in a number of patients."
If you've recovered from COVID-19, you can help.
"We actively encourage anybody that knows that they've tested positive for COVID to consider, twenty-eight days after they are over their infection, contact the Red Cross, donate your plasma," Degner said. "That plasma is available for us here in Hutchinson to give to our community members that need it."
The Red Cross will do the testing, once you have contacted them.
"You can contact the Red Cross and they will measure the level of antibodies in your system," Degner said. "If you have enough, then they will see if you are willing to donate your plasma, it's a one time donation, to give to other patients. The Red Cross will ask you a series of questions and then do a simple blood test."
It's also worth donating blood to get tested for the antibodies as well, as the Red Cross is doing antibody testing on the blood of any donor at this time.