Difference Between Plasma and Convalescent Plasma

During the pandemic, plasma has become a much talked about component of blood as COVID-19 convalescent plasma started being used as a potential treatment for those suffering from the virus. But what many may not know is that, while COVID-19 convalescent plasma may be new and in direct response to the pandemic, the collection and use of plasma for medical treatments isn’t. In fact, plasma has been a lifesaving element of medical care for decades.

So, what’s the difference between plasma and convalescent plasma?

Plasma

Plasma has been collected and transfused since the 1940s to help patients. During medical treatment, patients may receive whole blood or just the specific blood components they need, including plasma.

• What is plasma: Plasma is the liquid portion of blood and contains vital antibodies, coagulation factors (to help blood clot and ultimately stop bleeding) and proteins. Our red and white blood cells and platelets are suspended in plasma as they move throughout our bodies. In addition, plasma serves several other important functions in our bodies including: 
  • Maintains blood pressure and volume; 
  • Carries electrolytes to our muscles; and 
  • Keeps proper acid-base balance in the body, which is critical to cell function. 
• How is plasma used: Key uses of plasma includes treatments for burns, shock, trauma, bleeding disorders, severe liver disease and clotting factor deficiencies.  
• Donating plasma: Red Cross collects plasma only donations from individuals with type AB blood. This is because AB plasma can be transfused into any patient in need. The plasma is obtained by separating the liquid portion of blood from the cells through a process called apheresis. Plasma is frozen within 24 hours of being donated in order to preserve the valuable clotting factors. It is then stored for up to one year and thawed when needed.

About Convalescent Plasma

Convalescent plasma is different from AB plasma. COVID-19 convalescent plasma specifically, has been collected and transfused as a response to the pandemic, starting in April 2020.  

• What is convalescent plasma: Convalescent plasma is plasma that contains high levels of specific antibodies that might help fight that infection – in this case, COVID-19 antibodies. Historically, convalescent plasma has been used as a potentially lifesaving treatment in some situations when new diseases or infections develop quickly, and no treatments or vaccines were available yet. Recent scientific evidence has shown that COVID-19 convalescent plasma with high levels of antibodies, that is administered to hospitalized patients early in the disease course, can have some clinical benefit. Convalescent plasma continues to be an important component of the toolbox, particularly for the right patient population including immunosuppressed patients, to fight this pandemic.  
• How is convalescent plasma used: Convalescent plasma is transfused to patients battling a specific illness to provide antibodies that might help fight that infection. Often, convalescent plasma programs are temporary and discontinue once other treatments for the illness are discovered or the illness is no longer prevalent. 
• Donating convalescent plasma: The Red Cross is testing all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Plasma from routine blood and platelet donations that test positive for high levels of antibodies may be used as convalescent plasma to meet potential future needs of COVID-19 patients. The Red Cross stopped collecting plasma-only convalescent plasma donation March 27, 2021. Fortunately, thanks to the tens of thousands of convalescent plasma donors who have given throughout the pandemic, the Red Cross and the greater blood industry have been able to build a sufficient inventory of COVID-19 convalescent plasma to meet the foreseeable hospital demand at this time. 
  

All blood types and donation types are needed to ensure a stable blood supply to help all kinds of patients every day across the country. 

The Red Cross urges eligible individuals who are feeling well to please make an appointment today to give by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED-CROSS.

With more and more individuals receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, the Red Cross wants people to know that, in most cases, there is no blood donation deferral time after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. However, knowing the name of the vaccine manufacturer is important in determining blood donation eligibility. View a video on blood donation and COVID-19 vaccines.