The use of Convalescent Plasma Pheresis (CPP) is a process of taking plasma from previously infected (COVID-19) individuals after 28 days of recovery.

1. COVID-19 positive Donor who has recovered 28 days prior to the procedure.
2. Presently Donor should be Antibody IgG Positive.
3. Other donor inclusion criteria have to be followed.
4. It is assumed that neutralising antibodies in plasma will neutralise Covid virus in patients.
5. It is helpful only in mild to moderate disease.

(a) Plasma: acts as a vehicle to carry many substances like glucose, fats and proteins, enzymes and hormones, etc., in addition to the blood cells.

(b) Red Cells: carry oxygen from lungs to various body tissues and take back carbon dioxide from the cells and tissues to be thrown out of body in the form of exhaled air.

(c) White cells: mainly act as body scavengers and guards. They help in the immune system of the body and act as defense forces of the body, killing the bacteria or any other organisms entering the body.

(d) Platelets: help in the clotting and coagulation of blood. We have experienced in our life that whenever we get injured the bleeding stops after a few minutes. This is brought about by a mechanism called clotting of blood in which platelets plays a very vital role.

Every individual has many blood group antigens but mostly two types of blood group antigens are of clinical relevance. The first belong to ABO group and the second Rh group.

In the ABO group there are four categories namely A Group, B Group, O Group and AB Group.

In the Rh Group either the individual is Rh-positive, or Rh-negative. Rh is a factor called as Rhesus factor.

Thus, each and every human being will fall in one of the following groups.

1. A positive or A negative
2. B positive or B negative
3. O positive or O negative
4. AB positive or AB negative

Yes! Now with technical advancements, we can make components of blood. Following components are in common use:

1. Packed RBC
2. Platelet Concentrate - 5 days
3. Fresh Frozen Plasma - 1 year
4. Platelet Apheresis – 5 days

RBC can be stored up to 42 days, when kept in anti coagulant solution and refrigerated at 2-4° Centigrade. But the demand is so great that blood hardly ever remains in storage for so long and is used much before expiry. The various blood components can be stored as under.

1. Packed RBC – 42 days
2. Platelet Concentrate - 5 days
3. Fresh Frozen Plasma - 1 year
4. Platelet Apheresis – 5 days

There are many situations in which patients need blood to stay alive:

1. A patient needs blood after a major accident in which there is loss of blood.
2. No major surgery is performed without blood as there is bound to be blood loss.
3. On an average, for every open heart surgery about 4-6 units of blood is required.
4. In miscarriage or childbirth, cases the patient may need large amount of blood to be transfused for saving her life and also the child’s.
5. For patients with blood diseases like severe Anaemias especially Aplastic Anaemias, Leukemia’s (blood cancer), Hemophilia (bleeding disorder), Thallassemia etc. repeated blood transfusions are the only solution.
6. In many other situations like poisoning, drug reactions, shock, burns, blood transfusion is the only way to save precious human life.

Yes. ALL the blood in the blood bank is tested for following, using the latest technology:

1. Hepatitis B & C - Chemiluminiscence/ Chemi+NAT
2. HIV I & II (AIDS) - Chemiluminiscence/ Chemi+NAT
3. Malarial parasite - Rapid antigen card Test
4. Venereal disease (Syphilis)
5. Blood Group
6. Before issuing blood, compatibility tests (cross matching) is done.
7. In case of Platelets; due to short life NAT may not be possible in all cases, specially in emergency cases.

Please note that test results are highly confidential and not shared with anyone. In case of identification of any disease, the donor is notified in a confidential way so that he can see some concerned specialist for proper treatment & guidance.

The following symptoms may occur after only a few ‘ml’ of blood have been given:

1. Patient complains of shivering, restlessness, nausea and vomiting. There is precardial and lumbar pain
2. Cold, clammy skin with cyanosis.
3. Pulse rate increases, respiratory rate increases. Temperature increases to 38 to 40 deg C. [101 to 105 F].
4. Blood pressure falls and patient passes into a state of shock.
5. Haemoglobinaemia, haemoglobinuria (urine turns red); oliguria (urine becomes scanty or the urinary output is reduced) and anuria (total output of urine becomes 200 ml. a day)
6. Jaundice appears after a few hours and in some cases anuria persists and uremia develops. This may lead to death.

(1) PROFESSIONAL DONORS – They sell their blood, which can be infectious and can transmit very dangerous diseases to the recipient. It is illegal to take blood from any professional donor.

(2) REPLACEMENT DONORS – Healthy relatives and friends of the patient give their blood, of any group, to the blood bank. In exchange, the required number of units in the required blood group is given.

(3) VOLUNTARY DONORS - Here a donor donates blood voluntarily. The blood can be used for any patient even without divulging the identity of the donor. This is the best type of blood donation where a motivated human being gives blood in an act of selfless service.

(4) DIRECTED DONORS - Donations of the same blood group are made for a specific patient by a friend or family member with a doctor's prescription.

(5) AUTOLOGOUS DONORS - These are the donations that individuals give for their own use with a doctor's prescription - for example, before a surgery.

Donating blood is safe and simple. We use only totally sterile disposable blood bags and needles. The actual donation process works like this:

1. You will complete a donor registration form that includes your name, address and a few other details.
2. You will be asked a few questions about your health.
3. You will go through a simple medical checkup including blood pressure, and pulse.
4. A drop of blood will be obtained from your finger tip to test for Hemoglobin%.
5. You will proceed to a donor bed/couch where your arm will be cleaned with antiseptic.
6. During the donation process, you will donate 350ml.
7. After the process is over, you will rest for about 5 minutes.
8. Following your donation, you will be given refreshment, souvenir & Certificate of appreciation.

We want your donation experience to be pleasant. Please remember:

Eat well-balanced food before you donate. You should not be on an empty stomach.

Tell us the name and dosage of any medications you are taking. Medications will not keep you from donating, but the reason for taking them might.

There are many conditions in which we advise not to donate blood. These health conditions could mean that you may not be able to temporarily donate either for a period of 6 months, one year or may also mean that you may never donate blood. These conditions are essential for your safety and also for the safety of those receiving blood. Mentioned below are the deferral conditions.

Permanent Deferral (Life Long) :

1. Abnormal bleeding disorder
2. Heart, Kidney, Liver Disorders, Thyroid Disorder
3. Epilepsy, mental disorders
4. Leprosy
5. Asthma
6. Cancer
7. Insulin dependent diabetics, Uncontrolled High BP

Temporary Deferral (1 year) :

1. Surgery
2. Typhoid
3. Dog bite/Rabies Vaccination
4. Unexplained weight loss
5. Continuous low grade fever
6. During pregnancy
7. After delivery

Temporary Deferral :

1. Tattooing or body piercing (6 months)
2. Dental extraction or root canal treatment (6 months)
3. Intravenous drug abuse (6 months)
4. Malaria (3 months)
5. Vaccination (2 weeks)

For Female Donors :

1. While lactating
2. During menstrual period (6 to 7 days)