FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) as under:

PRANA

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is plasma?

Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood that does not contain blood cells.  Hence it is colorless and contains proteins and clotting factors. It also contains valuable infection-fighting molecules called antibodies.

2. What is convalescent plasma?

In patients recovered (Convalescent) from COVID-19 like yourself, your plasma contains molecules that have fought the COVID-19 virus (Antibodies). These antibodies are useful to help other COVID-19 patients recover. Convalescent Plasma is currently under trial but initial results are promising.

3. What is Plasma therapy?

The reason you recover from COVID-19 is that your body produced antibodies in your blood plasma that helped you heal, along with memory T cells (white cells) that destroyed the virus. Your plasma can therefore help someone whose body is fighting against the virus.

4. What if I get infected again? I will have no antibodies left.

The procedure for plasma removal called plasmapheresis does not remove all the antibodies as you will be donating only 400- 500 ml of plasma from the 5 liters of blood in you. Further, if you have re-infection with COVID19, the white cells (Memory T cells) in your body will quickly start producing antibodies against the virus because of previous memory to the COVID-19 infection. Hence your infection affords a fair degree of protection to you.

5. Will the immunity of a Plasma Donor go down after donation?
Simple answer – No! There is no risk of this.

6. How do I know if I’m eligible to donate plasma?

• Plasma donors should be 18-60 years old
• Plasma donors should have tested positive for COVID-19 by RT-PCR test/ Rapid Antigen Test
• Plasma donors should have recovered from Covid-19, proof includes:
• Having A Covid-19 Negative test that is 14 days and over prior to donation
• Having recovered completely from all Covid-19 Symptoms 28 days and over prior to donation
• Those who have suffered COVID-19 and been vaccinated may donate plasma 14+ days after either dose of the vaccine.
• Plasma donors should test Positive for Covid-19 Antibodies (will be tested at the blood bank)
• Plasma donors should test negative for HIV /Hepatitis B and C/ Syphilis/ TB / Malaria
• Plasma donors should not suffer from Diabetes, Hypertension, Cancer
• Plasma Donors must not be taking any regular prescription drug
• Plasma donors should not have received blood and blood products for Covid-19 or other disorders in the past year.
• Female Plasma Donors who have not ever been pregnant: full-term/miscarriage/abortion
• Plasma donors should weigh greater than 50Kg

7. Are Plasma donors screened for COVID-19 antibody levels?
– Yes, the initial Antibody test will tell us if you are eligible to Donate

8. What are the steps in becoming a Plasma Donor?

Step 1

Fill in the PRANA Donor Questionnaire at bit.ly/PranaPlasmaDonation

Step 2

They (Prana Doctors/Volunteers) will go through your questionnaire and do an initial screening to determine your pre-eligibility to donate plasma. They will contact you:
– to discuss eligibility
– to answer all your questions

Step 3

If you have pre-eligibility, we will arrange an appointment at the nearest Blood Bank closest to you who will conduct a detailed medical history/ examination and blood testing to find out if you are eligible to be a donor.

Step 4

Based on the Blood Bank processes, you will get your test results within 60-90 mins and if eligible, will complete plasma donation the same day.

OR

You will return home and if eligible you will come back the next day for your donation.

Step 5

Once you donate plasma, you become a Prana Plasma Champion and potentially save a life.

9. What are Points to Remember after donating Plasma?

• Increase your fluid intake during the next 24 hours
• Avoid consuming alcohol until you have eaten something
• Don’t smoke or chew tobacco for the next 30 minutes to 4 hours
• Avoid climbing steps for the next 30 minutes
• Avoid strenuous physical exertion, heavy lifting or pulling using the arm used for donation for at least 24 hrs.
• If there is bleeding from the phlebotomy site (puncture site), raise the arm and apply pressure
• If you feel faint or dizzy, either lie down or sit with your head between your knees
• Resume all normal activities if no symptoms occur
• Remove bandage after 4 hours.
• Do not hesitate to contact the blood bank if you have any problems or queries

10. Why are Female Donors not eligible if they have been pregnant?

When you get pregnant the genetic material of the baby may cause the mother to develop HLA antibodies. These HLA antibodies may cause a transfusion reaction called Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI). Since COVID-19 patients already have compromised lung function, plasma with HLA antibodies might increase their chances of lung damage and hence cannot be transfused.

11. If I have donated Convalescent Plasma, when can I donate Plasma again?

You can donate after a period of 14 days after your last Plasma donation.

12. How safe is Plasma Donation?

All safety measures are taken to ensure that the entire donation process at the Blood Bank is completely safe for the donor.

13. How do the Plasma Donation Centers ensure safety of Donors?

The health and safety of all donors is a top priority of all Plasma Donation Centers. Plasma Donation is by appointment only to limit the number of donors in the Center. All Donors are required to wear ample face covering, Mask and preferably Shield/ practice hand hygiene and if required will be given sterile gloves to wear.  The centers are also taking all mandatory precautions i.e. enhanced existing cleaning protocols, monitoring employee and donor temperatures, and following guidelines on hand hygiene.

14. Can I catch Coronavirus by donating Plasma?

No. Donating blood/plasma is absolutely safe.

15. Is the Plasma Donor at risk of being re-infected by Covid-19 infection during the donation process?

At the time of donation, the donor has developed immunity to Covid-19 and has almost no risk of being re-infected by Covid-19 during the donation process Also, the donor is expected to take all risk prevention measures i.e. wear ample face covering (mask and a shield), practice hand hygiene and if required wear sterile gloves. Hence except for the rarest cases, there would be no risk of being re-infected.

16. Alcohol and plasma?
It is advised to refrain from alcohol consumption 24-48 hours before plasma donation.

17. What is the process on the Day of Plasma Donation?

• Increase your fluid intake in the immediate two hours before donation and preferably stay well hydrated during the previous 24 hours
• Avoid consuming alcohol 24 hours before donation
• Don’t smoke or chew tobacco for 24 hours before donation
• Please inform PRANA if there has been any change in your medical condition/medication/doctor/dental visit in the week before donation if not already communicated.

18. Should I take an Attendant?
In order to limit the slightest risk of Covid-19 transmission to the attendant, it is recommended that you do not take one with you.

19. How long does it take to donate plasma?
The actual procedure usually takes around 30- 45 minutes but with all the paperwork and testing, it can take about up to 3-3.5 hours.

20. How much plasma does each recipient need?
Each patient/recipient usually requires 200 ml of plasma at a time.

21. How much plasma do I have to donate?
You can donate up to 500 ml of plasma. Each donation is divided into two bags of 200ml each and therefore could benefit two recipients.

22. How long can the Plasma donated be useful for?

COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma that is frozen within 8 hours after collection, stored at -30C or colder will have an expiration date one year from the date of collection.

23. I haven’t had COVID 19. What can I do to help?
You can consider donating blood! One blood donation can save up to three lives.

24. What are Prana’s T&Cs and Privacy Policy?

By clicking the Submit button on the Donor Registration Form on this link
bit.ly/PranaPlasmaDonation or bit.ly/BloodAndPlateletDonor provided on our website pranapanindia.com, or Prana social media handles, WhatsApp appeals and any other publications, I consent
to the following.

1. Permit information in the donor registration form to be a part of the PRANA Convalescent Plasma/Blood and Blood products Donor Database & any social and clinical studies/research that may be generated thereof.
2. Permit PRANA to share information in the donor registration form with PRANA volunteers/any third party for the sole purpose of evaluating your eligibility & facilitating your Plasma/Blood and Blood products donation and for matching you to a potential Covid-19 Convalescent Plasma/Blood and Blood products Recipient.
3. Acknowledge that as a PRANA donor, your donation of Plasma/ Blood and Blood products is purely VOLUNTARY and you will not receive/be offered any kind of monetary/material benefit for either registering with PRANA as a donor or for donating Blood and Blood products such as Plasma & Platelets as a PRANA donor.
4. Acknowledge that as a PRANA donor PRANA is only a facilitator and cannot be held liable for any complications/side effects arising out of the Plasma/Blood and Blood products donation process.
5. Acknowledge that as a PRANA donor PRANA will not share any Plasma/ Blood and Blood products recipient information with you.
6. Be informed that Donor safety, comfort, and convenience are a priority for PRANA.
7. Be informed that PRANA pays the strictest attention to donor privacy and confidentiality and adheres to the strictest medical & ethical practices.