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Scientists around the world are working on developing a vaccine against the COVID-19 coronavirus, while looking for other solutions that would be effective during treatment. One such method may be to administer to a patient with acute symptoms of plasma a healed person. Can such a solution actually help? We asked Dr. hab. n. med. Tomasz Dzieśćtkowski, a virologist from the Medical University of Warsaw.
Symptoms of COVID-19 infection
The COVID-19 coronavirus, first diagnosed in late 2019, continues to spread. The most disturbing symptoms of infection are high fever (above 38 degrees Celsius), shortness of breath and dry cough. They may be associated with muscle aches, sore throat, general body weakness and anosmia (loss of smell). The COVID-19 coronavirus is spread by airborne droplets, which means person-to-person when you sneeze or cough.
- Find out more: How does the coronavirus attack the body?
Treatment of people infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus depends on the course of the disease in a given case. Patients who have tested positive for the coronavirus, but at the same time the infection is mild, are obliged not to leave their place of residence. Their health is monitored by the health service. They are given drugs to relieve symptoms.
- Check if you may have contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus [RISK ASSESSMENT]
People who have a severe course of the disease stay in infectious wards, where they are also given medications to minimize the symptoms of infection. Patients unable to breathe independently are connected to ventilators.
Does giving plasma from a healed person help in treating COVID-19?
Does giving plasma from a healed person help in treating COVID-19? Dr hab. Tomasz Dzieiątkowski, MD, Ph.D. admits that this type of research is still ongoing. They are conducted in the United States. If antibodies to the coronavirus are present in the plasma of cured patients, they may bring a therapeutic effect. However, at the moment there are no scientific reports on this subject.
Check out other information on the coronavirus as well:
- Will face masks protect me from the coronavirus?
- How does cancer affect the course of coronavirus infection?
- Who is the Coronavirus Killing?
Have a question about the coronavirus? Send them to the following address: [email protected]. You will find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Coronavirus – frequently asked questions and answers.