WHO Gives a Flat‑Out No to Convalescent Plasma for COVID‑19
On December 6, Geneva’s health gurus at the World Health Organisation (WHO) made a clear statement: skipping the plasma of folks who’ve beaten COVID‑19 won’t help the sick do it again.
What’s the idea behind the plasma?
Scientists once thought pouring antibodies straight from a recovered patient into a current patient could “swat” the virus out of the body, stop it from multiplying, and stop the nasty tissue damage.
Trial Results – Spoiler: Not a Game Changer
Fast‑forward to research: 16 studies involving 16,236 patients – ranging from mild to critical cases – didn’t stop the pattern. No evidence that it boosts survival or reduces ventilator usage.
- Severe‑case patients got nothing better than a placebo.
- The U.S. trial was halted in March when it turned out the plasma was a dud even for those with mild to moderate symptoms.
- Overall, the data screamed: “Plasma, you’re not the hero we hoped for.”
Cost & Time – The Other Dangers
The WHO pointed out two practical roadblocks: you have to hunt down donors, filter and test the plasma, then match it to patients. That ain’t just pricey – it’s a time sink.
WHO’s Strong Recommendation
Experts across the globe are urging: Forget plasma for non‑severe COVID‑19 patients. Even for severe and critical cases, let’s keep it strictly in randomized trials until more lights feel bright.
In a Nutshell
The WHO’s verdict, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), is crystal clear: convalescent plasma is not recommended outside controlled research, and it’s simply not cutting it in treating the disease.
So, if you’re hoping for a “miracle” therapy from some recovered buddy’s blood, you might want to water your hope a little. The science says the answer is a resounding nope.
