Pure Science: How does convalescent plasma work

Convalescent plasma therapy is plasma with antibodies taken from a recovering individual and transfused into an actively infected patient. The therapy is gaining strong ground in treatment against Covid, but studies show that not only is it ineffective, it could pose serious risks. ThePrint’s Sandhya Ramesh looks at what the data indicates so far, where plasma could help, and the risks it poses.----more----Supplementary reading: Dexamethasone, remdesivir, plasma, doxycycline: Which works for Covid and which doesn’t https://theprint.in/health/dexamethasone-remdesivir-plasma-doxycycline-which-works-for-covid-and-which-doesnt/645982/----more----Plasma therapy for Covid ‘irrational, non-scientific’, change guidelines, experts ask govt https://theprint.in/health/plasma-therapy-for-covid-irrational-non-scientific-change-guidelines-experts-ask-govt/656058/----more----NIH | COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma: Selected Clinical Data https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/tables/table-3b/ ----more----Maharashtra’s plasma trial stopped as data reveals higher mortalities https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/maharashtras-plasma-trial-stopped-as-data-reveals-higher-mortalities/articleshow/80162802.cms