Studies are showing that men make more Coronavirus antibodies than women, mainly because they become sicker than women.
The NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) in the UK has been testing this theory and is collecting the plasma for their test trials. The new analysis had found that men produce more coronavirus antibodies than women, which makes them better plasma donors. The new figures show that 43% of male donors had plasma rich enough in antibodies for their plasma to be included in the trial, compared with 29% of women.
With these new findings, it’s recently been announced that anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will be asked to donate plasma 21 days after their initial diagnosis.
Text messages will be sent out to people who tested positive asking if they would be willing to donate plasma. The texts will go out weekly and the plasma donated will be injected into those who tested positive for COVID-19 and who are seriously ill.
If the convalescent plasma works to help those sick from COVID-19, then the practice will continue widely in hospitals.
Would you consider donating plasma if you received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis?
