Are There Risks Involved With Plasma Donation? Here’s What You Need to Know
Source: (Photo by Juancho Torres/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
STATEWIDE–If you’re wondering about possible risks attached to donating plasma, President and CEO of Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association Anita Brikman says you have nothing to worry about.
“Recent research has shown on 12 million plasma donations, more than 99% of donations were done with no adverse events at all. So this is a very safe procedure,” said Brikman.
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Brikman says plasma donations dropped when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its worst, but has since picked back up. If you’re someone who has had COVID and recovered from it, she says your plasma would be extremely beneficial.
“There was research during COVID that had begun on convalescent plasma where you collect plasma from people who had recovered from COVID-19 as a potential booster of the treatment of the individuals who were not getting better. So absolutely no concern there whatsoever,” said Brikman.
Once the plasma is donated, she says it goes through a rigorous process.
“That process goes on for months. It involves sterilization and viral deactivation. So it is so safe,” said Brikman.
The only side effect she’s seen people have from donating plasma is having some slight bruising at the injection site. That goes away eventually.
There are 38 plasma donation centers in Indiana. This week is International Plasma Awareness Week.
