CONVALESCENT PLASMA – LIES, DAMN LIES AND STATISTICS.
Early in the pandemic, one of the treatments for infected and hospitalized Covid patients was convalescent plasma. Plasma, also known as serum, is the fluid portion of blood (most cells removed) which contains all kinds of other stuff, including clotting proteins, nutrients, enzymes and antibodies. In the case of recovered Covid patients, it contains antibodies to the SARS Cov-2 virus. The rationale for it helping other patients is that the antibodies in the plasma would inactivate viruses in the recipient’s body. These are called “neutralizing” antibodies. Although there seemed to be some benefit to giving them plasma, none of these patients ONLY received convalescent plasma. They received many treatments so it’s impossible to know how much it helped by itself. It makes sense that it would help.
The FDAs knee-jerk reaction in approving its Emergency Use Authorization is another example of the administration not understanding the science and shooting before assessing fully. The statistics were manipulated and expressed in a way that made plasma look much more effective than it really is.
In addition, the way data is expressed can be deceptive and misleading. That is what the CDC did when they made the announcement about how beneficial convalescent plasma really was. The NIH, National Institutes of Health, pointed out the inaccuracies but the damage is done. Those who want to believe in a magic cure are there already.
If it helps, it is limited to recently infected/affected patients. Late administration is probably useless since there is too much viral load to manage. This is another reason to support testing. If we identify patients early, and it turns out that convalescent plasma is significantly effective, it can be administered at an adequate stage of infection rather than missing the chance.
In addition to not having statistically significant benefits, there are risks like allergic reactions or contracting another infection like HIV or Hepatitis C, both of which are transmitted in plasma if not screened properly.
Just to be clear, I’m not saying that convalescent plasma is bad or ineffective. And I would probably take it if I was that sick and it was offered. However, it’s no miracle cure.
There is NO miracle cure. Not Zithromax, Hydroxychloroquin, plasma, zinc, not even Kale, although a healthy, plant-based diet definitely has many advantages with NO side effects.
In the meantime, do what we KNOW is helpful:
WEAR A MASK. Wear it properly covering your nose. As an aside, the shields some people wear are not that effective. It’s OK to wear, just wear a mask underneath.
DISTANCE APPROPRIATELY
WASH OUR HANDS
GET HEALTHY
VENTILATE
And one more important one to add to this list:
GET YOUR FLU SHOT. EVERYONE, not just older and sicker people or people at risk because of work. You don’t want a double whammy.
Stay safe and be well.
AC 😎✌️🌱❤🐖🏃🏻🧘🏻♂️🌎😷